The Levin Interviews

In the first of eight programmes Bernard Levin talks to Isaac Stern. A natural force not to be explained,' was Time magazines description of Isaac Stern. Certainly his impassioned performances have led him to be regarded as one of the foremost violinists of this century. Until recently he followed' a fevefish schedule that included 200 concerts a year, and countless recordings. Amid all this he has found time to lead a campaign to save Carnegie Hall , of which he is now President. He has discovered and encouraged many of today's leading younger musicians, and even made a major tour of China (the documentary film of which won an Oscar). He was the first recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Music Award for ' a life dedicated to music and devoted to humanity'.

'The task is enormous; some people would even say impossible.' So said SIR MICHAEL EDWARDES on taking up the greatest challenge of his career, the chairmanship of British Leyland. Now, after five turbulent years at the helm, he has left to follow other courses, including returning to the chairmanship of the Chloride group, for whom he worked for over 20 years. His unique management technique and business philosophy not only helped keep BL alive, but have lastingly affected the attitudes of bosses and unions to industrial relations

Bernard Levin in conversation with V. S. Nalpaul ' What I admire in his fiction, I also admire in his non-fiction: his vivid perceptions, his humanity, his view of the world.' (PAUL THEROUX) v. s. NAIPAUL, of Indian descent, bom in Trinidad, resident in England, frequent visitor to other parts of the world, is a unique novelist and travel writer. In both forms he is recognised as one of the finest writers in the English language, from novels like A House for Mr Biswas to non-fiction accounts such as The Return of Eva Peron. Though he finds writing is a difficult process, he has gone on to win a wide range of awards for his books, including the Booker Prize.

' He has combined the life of a man of action with the deeper qualities of a person at home in the world of dreams and myths and the inner significance of things.' (CHRISTOPHER BOOKER ) SIR LAURENS VAN DER POST, writer, explorer, soldier and philosopher, worked as a journalist in Durban as a way into literature before coming to live in England. Among his 20 novels and autobiographical works, the best known is perhaps The Lost World of the Kalahari. which was also an award-winning BBC series.

Bernard Levin in conversation with Aaron Copland , the grand old man of American music commonly regarded as the greatest of all their composers, he has written such pieces as Fanfare for the Common Man, Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and The Pied Piper ballet; late in life he has also won acclaim as a conductor. A friend and colleague of Benjamin Britten , Martha Graham and Igor Stravinsky , Copland has led a fascinating life, full of achievement.

As MP for Belper for 25 years, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and minister in various posts, including Foreign Secretary, LORD GEORGE-BROWN was one of the most influential and colourful politicians of his time. But then he resigned from his cabinet post, lost his parliamentary seat. joined the House of Lords and eventually resigned from the Labour Party altogether. Now retired, but by no means inactive, he can reflect on a long period of political life, and comment on current events.

'A scientist must be freely imaginative and yet sceptical, creative and yet a critic... There is poetry in science, but also a lot of book-keeping.' So says scientist Sir Peter Medawar, Nobel Prize-winner for his research in immunology. His discoveries have led to skingrafting and organ transplants both becoming commonplace types of treatment. For this and other work he has been knighted, awarded the Order of Merit and Companion of Honour, but he is far more than scientist alone. Something of a Renaissance man, he has written on many subjects of wide appeal, most recently in his latest book, Plato's Republic.

Bernard Levin in conversation with Henry Moore A few days before his 85th birthday. HENRY MOORE talks in his studio to BERNARD LEVIN. Regarded for many years as the greatest sculptor Britain has ever produced, he continues to work seven hours a day seven days a week. In this rare and candid interview he looks back at his life and reconsiders his work and views.