Main content

Jan Pienkowski

Kirsty Young's castaway is illustrator Jan Pienkowski.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the illustrator Jan Pienkowski. He was born in Warsaw before the Second World War and lived through the uprising of 1944. He spent his childhood in Poland, Bavaria, Vienna and Italy, before making his home in England more than 60 years ago. The folk traditions of central Europe are still much in evidence in his work though; twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, his illustrations see childhood terrors realised in gothic scenes, with witches a constant presence.

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

Favourite track: Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles
Book: Audiobook of Martin Jarvis reading Just William by Richmal Crompton
Luxury: Large supply of moleskin sketch books.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Oct 2009 09:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Steve Coogan

Next

Professor Colin Pillinger

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • The Beatles

      Eleanor Rigby

      • Revolver.
      • Apple.

  • Panstwowy Ludowy Zespól Piesni i Tanca Mazowsze

    Warsaw Polonaise

    • Przeboje Socjalizmu: Hej Chlopcy Do Roboty!.
    • Anex.

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate (from Aida)

    Soloist: Brigit Nilsson & Mario Sereni Orchestra: The Orchestra of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Conductor: Zubin Mehta

    • Aida.
    • EMI.

  • Derek McCulloch

    Oranges and Lemons

    Artist: Children’s Chorus & Orchestra

    • Uncle Mac’s Party Games for Children.
    • HMV.

  • Lata Mangeshkar

    Gore Gore O Banke Chhore

    • Bollywood Bizarro.
    • MSI/Super.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Après un rêve, Op. 7/1

    Soloist: Pablo Casals

    • Casals: The Victor Recordings (1926-1928).
    • Biddulph.

  • Vincent Scotto

    Sous Les Ponts de Paris

    Soloist: Tino Rossi

    • Tino Rossi.
    • Columbia.

  • The Monks of Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight

    Nunc Dimittis

    • Gregorian Chant: Sunday Vespers, Benediction & Compline.
    • Herald.

  • Book Choice

    • Audiobook of Martin Jarvis reading Just William - Richmal Crompton

  • Luxury Choice

    • Large supply of moleskin sketch books

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Jan Pienkowski

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Oct 2009 11:15
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4
  • Fri 23 Oct 2009 09:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast