Conversations

The secret obsession of a Supreme Court Justice

Published: May 13, 2026

Duration: 53:42

For 45 years, George Palmer harboured a secret. He spent every spare moment composing classical music, and then shoving his scores in his bottom drawer. Until one day, almost by pure chance, that music saw the light of day.

As a young man, George had dreams of becoming a renowned classical music composer, but when he walked into university, he didn't feel like he belonged in the music department.

George left after his first week, and followed a school friend into the law department.

At first, George was not inspired by the law, but...