Main content

Professor Carlo Rovelli

Kirsty Young interviews theoretical physicist Professor Carlo Rovelli.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the theoretical physicist, Professor Carlo Rovelli. His book 'Seven Brief Lessons on Physics' became one of the fastest-selling science titles of all time, catapulting him from the world of academia into the global spotlight. Committed to bridging the gap between science and art and making complex scientific issues comprehensible for the lay person, he is currently Professor of Physics at Aix-Marseille University.

Born in Verona, and an only child, he was encouraged to learn, to be independent and dreamed of travelling through space. By the age of 12 his long-standing rebellious streak was visible and he would later interrupt his university career to travel. Now in his early sixties, his academic career has seen him work in Europe and America and among the scientific community he is best known as one of the founders of Loop Quantum Gravity theory.

Producer: Cathy Drysdale.

Available now

37 minutes

Last on

Fri 7 Jul 2017 09:00

Music Played

  • Janis Joplin

    Me and Bobby McGee

    • Pearl.
    • Sony.
  • Gianna Nannini

    Vieni Ragazzo

    • The Collection.
    • Ricordi.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Concerto No. 12 in C Major, RV 178, Allegro

    Performer: I Musici.
    • 6 Concertos Op. 8 Nos. 7-12.
    • Philips.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Für Alina

    Performer: Alexander Malter.
    • Pärt: Alina.
    • ECM New Series.
  • CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE

    • Jerry Garcia

      Love Scene

      • Zabriskie Point.
      • EMI.
  • Bach

    2nd movement from Jesu, Der Du Meine Seele (Jesus, you who my soul)

    Performer: Teresa Stich-Randall. Performer: Dagmar Hermann. Performer: Vienna State Orchestra and Chorus. Conductor: Felix Prohaska.
    • Cantatas ; Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 / Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 (1954).
    • Classical Moments.
  • John Lennon

    Imagine

    • Imagine.
    • Apple.
  • The Doors

    The Crystal Ship

    • The Doors.
    • Warner.
  • BOOK CHOICE

    The Odyssey - by Homer

  • LUXURY ITEM

    A telescope

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Carlo Rovelli
Producer Cathy Drysdale

Broadcasts

  • Sun 2 Jul 2017 11:15
  • Fri 7 Jul 2017 09:00

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast