As droll and down-to-earth as ever, Sir Michael Palin arrived on stage at The Sheldonian to riotous applause, the sold out audience keen to hear of his exploits and adventures, life in comedy, global travels and time as a student in Oxford.
Interviewed so adeptly by Sue Cook, his life story was full of hilarious anecdotes, casual observations and intimate reflections.
Set against the backdrop of not only the stunning Sheldonian, but the magical Orchestra of St John’s, his favourite musical pieces tied the evening together, and what an eclectic range Sir Michael brought to the table.
OSJ is taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge So please donate for its work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and Autism concerts to continue
From Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen (enjoyed on a seven day train ride to Bombay) to Sibelius and Vivaldi, Elgar and the incredibly difficult El Salon Mexico, the moods varied accordingly.
Opening with The Karelia Suites, Palin described the music as ‘like opening a window and thinking ‘Wow, am I pleased to be here.’ It expresses how I feel when I’m in the remotest places in the world and the drama involved in that,” he explained.
He also admitted how difficult it was to whittle his list down to just eight pieces, but they certainly gave OSJ a run for its money, from the dexterous strings in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons’ Winter, to the maudlin post war tones of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, the brighter Lullaby of Broadway and the brilliant modernity of Copland, conductor and OSJ founder John Lubbock steered his orchestra through admirably, as they performed as radiantly as Palin’s star rating.
A special mention must go to soloists Hannah Davey (soprano), the young and gifted Riya Hamie (cello) and pianist James Willshire, who entertained with such aplomb.
All of which was punctuated with Palin’s musings on his school career at Shrewsbury and his embarrassing interviews for Oxford, until he finally got a place at Brasenose to study modern history.
“I’m so much more interested in history now than I was then,” he acceded. “I wish it had been the other way around because Oxford was such a wonderful place to study, but I was more worried about going out and girls than studying. If you go to university you should go when you are 75,” he observed to a ripple of laughter.
‘If you go to university you should go when you’re 75’
He met Terry Jones of Monty Python fame here, and they formed a touring cabaret company together casting the die for Palin’s incredible life of writing, comedy and then travel. “My father had very little money, so it was incumbent on me to make some, which meant I never dared tell him I was a script writer but instead said I worked for BBC.”
“But I enjoyed making people laugh,” the 81 year-old says simply, “and if you write something and it makes people laugh that’s it, but in terms of writing, there were moments when we just fell apart laughing. It was a nice way to fill your time.”
‘there were moments when we just fell apart laughing. It was a nice way to fill your time’
As humble as ever, Palin also discussed the infamous Monty Python: “It was scheduled late at night on the BBC, because they were a bit embarrassed about us, and we just built up a cult following. But then there was so much more freedom in the 60s and 70s, it was very much ‘have a go’, so we were very lucky with the timing. It would be much more difficult now,” he says.
The concert’s second half was more philosophical as Palin talked about the joys and challenges of travelling to some of the most remote and inhospitable places on earth, his work ethic and philosophy: “I always describe myself as an agnostic with doubts,” he said wryly.
‘I always describe myself as an agnostic with doubts’
The loss of his wife, his ongoing writing and how he will continue entertaining us both on screen and between the pages until someone tells him to stop, were also thrown into the ring.
And as we wound to a close, and we could hear the students cavorting outside, as I’m sure Palin once did, it seemed we’d come full circle in the life of this extraordinary man.
‘At the end of Desert Island Discs you are allowed one luxury. For me it has been to spend the evening with you’
And as he rose, truly moved, to applaud OSJ, tears in this eyes, he interrupted only to say: “At the end of Desert Island Discs you are allowed one luxury. For me it has been to spend the evening with you. This experience has been the best luxury of my life!”
So huge respect to OSJ for not only running the riveting The Music In My Life series with so many fascinating individuals (Alexander Armstrong is next on April 8) but for matching their subject matter’s musical whims with such passion and proficiency.
And last, but not least, OSJ has been picked to take part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge where all donations are matched, as long as £9000 is reached by Tuesday (Dec 10). So please donate and allow OSJ to continue making a difference in local schools, hospitals and nursing homes, in particular its Music for Autism concerts in SEN schools. Donate here https://www.osj.org.uk
For details on OSJ’s incredible Christmas concert line-up go to https://www.osj.org.uk/forthcoming-concerts/
