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Antonia Fraser

Kirsty Young's castaway is writer Lady Antonia Fraser.

Kirsty Young's castaway on Desert Island Discs this week is the writer Antonia Fraser. Born Antonia Pakenham, the eldest of eight children, it was while growing up in Oxford that she became fascinated with the past and would make daily trips to the town's library to fuel her passion for history. With seven brothers and sisters it was, she says, "something of mine". Her father, Lord Longford, was a classicist and their lives were rich with interesting visitors like John Betjeman, William Beveridge and Isaiah Berlin. Both her parents stood unsuccessfully as Labour candidates.

An internationally regarded historian, her best-selling books are credited with bringing the past to life, full of painstakingly researched detail and strong narrative. Her first job was in publishing, working for George Weidenfeld and then marrying the Tory MP Hugh Fraser. She wrote the first of her best selling historical biographies, Mary Queen of Scots in 1969 while the mother of six young children - "the little baby enjoyed the sound of the typewriter".

Along with her husband, Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter, she has been at the centre of London's literati for well over 30 years. Her writing is still "place of solitude and a solace".

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

Favourite track: 3rd Movement of Piano Concerto No. 23 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: The complete works by Walter Scott
Luxury: Strings and strings of false pearls.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 1 Aug 2008 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Dove sono (from The Marriage of Figaro)

    Soloist: Kiri Te Kanawa

    • Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro.
    • Decca.

  • The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford

    The Bells of Magdalen College, Oxford

    • Choir of Magdalen College Oxford: Music For A May Morning.
    • Cantoris Records.

  • Richard Wagner

    WinterstΓΌrme wichen dem Wonnemond (from Die WalkΓΌre)

    Soloist: Placido Domingo

    • Wagner: Die WalkΓΌre, Act 1.
    • Teldec.

  • William Byrd

    Sanctus

    Choir: Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge Conductor: George Guest

    • Byrd: Mass For Four Voices, Mass For Five Voices.
    • EMI.

  • Christoph Willibald Gluck

    Che farΓ² senza Euridice (What is Life?) (from Orpheus and Euridice)

    Soloist: Janet Baker Orchestra: The English Chamber Orchestra

    • Gluck: Opera Arias - Janet Baker.
    • Philips.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No. 85 in B flat major 'La reine' - 1st movement

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Hungarica Conductor: Antal Dorati

    • Haydn: The 'Paris' Symphonies.
    • Decca.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132 - 3rd movement

    Orchestra: Medici String Quartet

    • Beethoven: String Quartets Op. 132 & Op. 135.
    • Nimbus.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major - 3rd movement

      Soloist: Mitsuko Uchida Orchestra: The English Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Jeffrey Tate

      • Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 22 & 23.
      • Philips.

  • Book Choice

    • The complete works - Walter Scott

  • Luxury Choice

    • Strings and strings of false pearls

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Antonia Fraser

Broadcasts

  • Sun 27 Jul 2008 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 1 Aug 2008 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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