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Charles Jencks

Architectural critic Charles Jencks is interviewed by Kirsty Young.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the architectural critic and writer Charles Jencks.

Born in America, for the past four decades he has lived and worked in Britain - where his designs are as likely to be found in sculptural landscapes as buildings. Perhaps his most significant legacy, though, is the work he did with his late wife, Maggie Keswick. They worked together to design Maggie's Centres - a series of practical and beautifully-designed buildings to give information and support to people with cancer.

He says: "When you have cancer, there's many things which you have to do aside from the struggle - it's not just a medical problem, it's a social problem - of how you tell the children, how you tell your boss - and above all, as Maggie said, it's not to lose the joy of living."

Producer: Leanne Buckle.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 6 Jul 2012 09:00

Music Played

  • Carly Simon

    You’re so vain

    Composer: Carly Simon

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Quadra 3 – Fra gli amplessi in Porch istanti Fiordiligi

    Artist: Renee Flreming & Frank Lopardo with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe conducted by Sir George Solti

  • Gardner Jencks

    Sonata No 2 for piano, OP. 8 (1942) (Allegro non troppo)

    Artist: Marcia Mikulak, piano

  • Modest Mussorgsky

    The Great Gates of Kiev

    Artist: The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Pritchard

  • Shakespeare

    Ghost sequence from Hamlet

    Artist: Richard Burton

  • Michael Gandolfi

    Soliton Waves

    Artist: Robert Spano & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

  • Henry Purcell

    When I am laid in earth (Dido) Scene 2

    Artist: Jessye Norman, The English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Raymond Leppard

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Igor Stravinsky

      The Rite of Spring

      Artist: Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam conducted by Sir Colin Davis

  • Book Choice

    • The Act of Creation - Arthur Koestler

  • Luxury Choice

    • 3D printer

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Charles Jencks

Broadcasts

  • Sun 1 Jul 2012 10:00
  • Sun 1 Jul 2012 11:15
  • Fri 6 Jul 2012 09:00

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