Randy Newman

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the American composer, singer and song-writer Randy Newman. Colleagues say he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with musical legends Cole Porter and George Gershwin. He first made his name by writing mordant and often satirical pop songs - including A Few Words in Defence of Our Country, Political Science and Short People. For the past 25 years he has been better known for his Hollywood film music - including writing the scores for the first four Disney/Pixar films. He held the unique distinction for being Oscar-nominated 15 times without winning until 2002, when he picked up the award for Best Original Song for If I Didn't Have You from Monsters Inc. His songs are often written from the point of view of unlikeable characters - from slave masters to stalkers - it was a style, he acknowledges, that wasn't universally liked, but he adds: "I wouldn't have it any differently".

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

Choices

1.

Castaway's favourite

Ludwig van Beethoven

String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135

Orchestra: The Hollywood String Quartet

Others who chose this artist

2.

Alfred Newman

Goodbyes

Others who chose this artist

3.

George Jones

The Door

Others who chose this artist

4.

Fletcher Henderson

The Stampede

Others who chose this artist

5.

Igor Stravinsky

Sacrificial Dance (from The Rite of Spring)

Orchestra: The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Benjamin Zander

Others who chose this artist

6.

Dmitri Shostakovich

Symphony No. 15 in A major - 1st movement

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Bernard Haitink

Others who chose this artist

7.

Gustav Mahler

Symphony No. 9 in D major - 4th movement

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

Others who chose this artist

8.

Ray Charles

Come Rain or Come Shine

Others who chose this artist

Book

The Divine Comedy (with translation) by Dante Alighieri

Others who chose this author

Luxury item

A piano

Others who chose a similar luxury