BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

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

Desert Island Discs: John Surman

06/10/1984

John Surman

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, John Surman

Roy Plomley's castaway is saxophonist John Surman

Roy Plomley's castaway is saxophonist John Surman.

John Surman, who plays the baritone saxophone, has acquired an international reputation as a jazz musician and so spends much of his time abroad.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the various groups he has formed like SOS and the Brass Project, about his work as a composer, including that for the Carolyn Carlson Dance Theatre at the Paris Opera, and he 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: St Matthew Passion No 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Set of Wisden Almanack
Luxury: Vat of Bordeaux wine

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Old Man Reagan, 1984

Old Man Reagan, 1984

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Old Man Reagan, 1984

How President Reagan's advanced age of 73 has affected the 1984 election debate.

1984 Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale questions President Reagan's age suitability in a televised election debate.

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Old Man Reagan, 1984

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data