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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: George Lloyd

23/04/1995

George Lloyd

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, George Lloyd

Sue Lawley's castaway is composer George Lloyd

Sue Lawley's castaway is composer George Lloyd.

The castaway choosing his eight desert island discs this week will also be relating a story of early triumph, 25 years of obscurity and a revival of fortunes at the age of 81 which has made him one of the country's most successful classical composers. He is George Lloyd, and he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the shell-shock and bad luck which put paid to his early promise - his years growing carnations and mushrooms - and then, thanks to the late John Ogdon's intervention, his re-emergence to a rapturous reception by both the public and the musical establishment. 

He'll also be describing the unexpected places where his music has been enjoying an airing - could it really be true that his symphonies are now to be heard in discos and pubs?

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

Favourite track: Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Piers Plowman (In Middle English) by William Langland
Luxury: Romney's portrait of Lady Hamilton

BBC Radio 4

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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: Oklahoma City bombing

Oklahoma City bombing

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Oklahoma City bombing

The fallout of Oklahoma City bombing, and the rise in domestic terrorism.

The impact of home-grown terrorism, and the conflicts that arise when discussing the First Amendment, in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing on 19th April 1995.

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