My Downing playlist

Welcome to our new feature where we share and celebrate the music that provided the soundtrack to your time at Downing.

We are delighted to start with the choices of our Master, Professor Graham Virgo (1984).

You can hear these picks on our specially created Downing playlist.

Happy listening!

Zadok the Priest – George Frideric Handel

This brings back memories of my wedding to Cally, 31 years ago in the College Chapel. We were very lucky that we had some exceptional musicians who organised the music for us and whenever I hear this, I remember that very special day.

Waterloo - Abba

When I was a new Fellow at Downing a group of students formed the University Abba Society and asked me to be the Senior Treasurer. 

I remember a number of fun evenings where Abba was played, with a lot of singing. I had forgotten this until I was reminded about it at various reunion events recently. It is fascinating to see alumni talking about their memories as students and being transported back to those fun times.

Carnival of the Animals: X11. Fossils – Camille Saint-Saens

When I was interviewed by John Hopkins and (now) Lord Lloyd-Jones for admission to read Law, I was asked; ‘What piece of music would you wish to leave on a desert island never to hear again?’ (we don’t ask these questions now!) Carnival of the Animals is what I said. I think that was unfair because it is not bad – but at least I did not say anything by Mozart or Wagner!

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd – Stephen Sondheim

I enjoy musicals and have happy memories of seeing May Week musicals at Downing when I was a student. More bizarrely, when I was a new Fellow, the then Chaplain organised a trip to Wormwood Scrubs prison to see ‘Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ by Stephen Sondheim. The main parts were played by professional singers, but the parts of the victims were played by prisoners, including murderers. It was very memorable!

Published 26 September 2024