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Andrew Motion

Sue Lawley's castaway is poet Andrew Motion.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the poet Andrew Motion.

He describes his writing as a "biological thing" - like developing a headache or the flu - but much, much more pleasurable. Also a biographer, his first, controversial work was about his friend and fellow poet Philip Larkin. While researching for it, he collected together his own personal writings and burnt them. Dominant in his work is the figure of his mother; injured in an accident which left her severely ill and from which she eventually died. His poems, he says, are his way of bringing her back to life.

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

Favourite track: Cello Suite No. 6 in D by Johann Sebastian Bach
Book: Prelude - Penguin edition by William Wordsworth
Luxury: Pencils and paper

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 Mar 1998 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Bob Dylan

    Love Minus Zero, No Limit

    • Unplugged.
    • Columbia.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Cantata No. 56: Ich will den Kreustab

    Soloist: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Orchestra: Munich Bach Orchestra

    • Bach: Cantatas Vol. 5.
    • Archiv.

  • Philip Larkin

    Here

    • On Record.
    • Yorkshire Arts.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    From Far, From Eve and Morning from On Wenlock Edge

    Soloist: Adrian Thompson Orchestra: Delme String Quartet

    • Song Cycles by Vaughan Williams & Gurney.
    • Hyperion.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier - 3rd movement

    Soloist: Alfred Brendel

    • Piano Sonatas 26 & 29.
    • Philips (Digital Classics).

  • Alban Berg

    Violin Concerto

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic

    • Kammerkonzert.
    • CBS Masterworks.

  • Cassandra Wilson

    Tupelo Honey

    • Blue Light Til Dawn.
    • Blue Note.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

      Suite for Solo Cello No. 6 in D major

      Soloist: Maurice Gedron

      • Cello Suites 1, 4 & 6.
      • Philips (Baroque Classics).

  • Book Choice

    • Prelude - Penguin edition - William Wordsworth

  • Luxury Choice

    • Pencils and paper

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Andrew Motion

Broadcasts

  • Sun 22 Mar 1998 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 27 Mar 1998 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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