Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this century. As he tells Roy Plomley, other than a period as Director of Music at Morley College, he has allowed very little to distract him from composition. His output includes four symphonies, four operas, four string quartets and several concertos.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Vespro Della Beata Vergine by Claudio Monteverdi
Book: Blank pages
Luxury: Egg timer