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Desert Island Discs — Personal Journals
Desert Island Discs

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

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Terry Jones Jul 02, 1983

Show notes

Terry Jones first became well-known as one of the performers in Monty Python's Flying Circus in 1969. He had spent several years before that as a television script writer. More recently, he has been directing the Monty Python feature films, writing books and hosting a television chat show.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he discusses these multifarious activities and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Five Salted Peanuts by Tony Pastor and his Orchestra Book: The complete works by Geoffrey Chaucer Luxury: Pencil and paper

Peter Maxwell Davies Jun 25, 1983

Show notes

Peter Maxwell Davies is not only a prolific composer, he is also Director of Music at Dartington Hall Summer School and Director of the Fires of London, a group specialising in twentieth-century music which he conducts on their many concert tours. Most of his composing is done in the tranquillity and isolation of his home in the Orkneys.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the various facets of his life and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Agnes Dei by Byrd Book: Ulysses by James Joyce Luxury: Music manuscript paper and pens

Fleur Cowles Jun 18, 1983

Show notes

Fleur Cowles began her career as a columnist on one of the New York papers and before long she became the Associate Editor of the magazine Look. She became very influential and, in 1953, President Eisenhower asked her to be his personal ambassador to the UK for the Coronation. Before long, she made her home here and took up writing books and painting professionally. She has since had 34 exhibitions of her work.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating life and chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Promenade & Tulleries by Modest Mussorgsky Book: Blank paper Luxury: Painting materials

Sir Peter Pears Jun 11, 1983

Show notes

Sir Peter Pears has been acknowledged for many years as an outstanding interpreter of the vocal music of Benjamin Britten. He also helped Britten to found the Aldeburgh Festival and he still takes an active part in the running of it.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, Sir Peter talks about his long career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Sprig Of Thyme by Benjamin Britten Book: A book by E.M Forster Luxury: Painting from his collection

Raymond Briggs Jun 04, 1983

Show notes

Raymond Briggs began his career as an illustrator after studying art at the Slade School. He first achieved fame through his picture books for children, Father Christmas and Fungus the Bogeyman, but has since moved into the adult world with When the Wind Blows, in which an elderly couple struggle to survive a nuclear attack.

As he told Roy Plomley when they met to choose his eight records, he has now turned this most recent picture book into a stage play.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Boogie Rocks by Albert Ammons Rhythm Kings Book: The complete works by Beachcomber Luxury: Billiard table with snooker balls and cue

Sinead Cusack May 28, 1983

Show notes

Roy Plomley's castaway is actress Sinead Cusack.

Favourite track: Concerto in G Minor No. 1 by Max Bruch Book: Novels by John Le Carre Luxury: Writing materials

Terry Wogan May 21, 1983

Show notes

Roy Plomley's castaway is broadcaster Terry Wogan.

Favourite track: The Young Prince and The Young Princess by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Book: His favourite book by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Vodka

Sir Alan King-Hamilton May 14, 1983

Show notes

Roy Plomley's castaway is retired Old Bailey Judge Sir Alan King-Hamilton.

Favourite track: Symphony No. 5 In C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Barclays World of Cricket by Jim Swanton Luxury: Television set

Arthur English May 07, 1983

Show notes

Roy Plomley's castaway is actor and comedian Arthur English.

Favourite track: 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Book: Britain's Heritage by John Julius Norwich Luxury: Weekend in Paris

A N Wilson Apr 30, 1983

Show notes

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer A N Wilson.

Favourite track: Profisciere Anima Christiana by Edward Elgar Book: The Golden Treasury by Francis Palgrave Luxury: Bed and blankets

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