Alison Balsom: Introduction (01:16)

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Balsom describes the inspiration she drew from Dizzy Gillespie which led her to a career as one of Britain's most popular musicians.

Treasure One: Inspiration (06:38)

George Frideric Handel is Balsom's favorite composer. She views his original scripts for “Birthday Ode for Queen Anne.” She also studies a musical piece by contemporary composer Peter Maxwell Davies.

Treasure Two: Genius (03:37)

Leonardo Da Vinci inspires Balsom. Matthew Landrus shows Balsom some of Da Vinci's work done in his own hand and shares a sketch of a unique instrument.

Treasure Three: Escape (07:08)

Balsom views several nautical maps with historic maps expert Peter Barber. Balsom’s love of sailing connects to her fascination with maps; see Henry VIII's map of the British coast.

Treasure Four: Roots (06:23)

Katie Howe helps Balsom learn about Stephen Hales, her distant relative who was a scientist and clergyman.

Treasure Five: Author (07:25)

Curator Laura Walker discusses Thomas Hardy; “Tess of the d'Urbervilles” is one of Balsom's favorite novels. To have his work serialized in magazines, Hardy had to make his work less politically controversial.

Treasure Six: Passion (06:55)

Food history fascinates Balsom. Polly Russell, contemporary archives coordinator, shows her the “Potage Dyvers” from the fifteenth century. Balsom visits a London restaurant that reinvented recipes from Richard II’s kitchen and the world’s oldest cookbook.

Alison Balsom's Donation (02:56)

Balsom contributes a composition done by herself and pianist Tom Poster entitled “Thoughts of Dr. May.” She also donates a recording of the piece done at the Munich Palace Hotel.

Credits: Alison Balsom (00:36)

Credits: Alison Balsom