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James Ellroy

Kirsty Young's castaway is American crime writer James Ellroy.

Kirsty Young's castaway is American crime writer James Ellroy.

His books have been translated into 30 languages and, according to the New York Times, he is the author of some of the most powerful crime novels ever written.

But the case that has dominated his life and much of his writing was the murder of his mother when he was just ten years old. In the years since, he has tried to find a way of getting to know and understand her.

Record: Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 'Hammerklavier', Op. 106
Book: Libra by Don DeLillo
Luxury: Sun block.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Jan 2010 09:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 3 in E flat major 'Eroica' - 1st movement

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert Von Karajan

    • Beethoven: Symphony No.3.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Jean Sibelius

    Violin Concerto in D Minor

    Soloist: Itzhak Perlman Orchestra: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Andre Previn

    • Sibelius: Violin Concerto.
    • EMI.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

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

      Soloist: Emil Gilels

      • Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.29.
      • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Anton Bruckner

    Part of the second movement of 7th Symphony conducted by

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Eugen Jochum

    • Bruckner: Symphony No. 7, 8 & 9.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Grosse Fuge in B flat major, Op. 133

    Orchestra: The Quartetto Italiano

    • Beethoven: Late String Quartets.
    • Philips.
  • Anton Bruckner

    Beginning of the first movement of 4th Symphony, The Romantic,

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Eugen Jochum

    • Bruckner: Symphony Nos 4,5 & 6.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op. 127

    Orchestra: Quartetto Italiano

    • Beethoven: String Quartets Nos. 12-16.
    • Philips.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral'

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

  • Book Choice

    • Libra - Don DeLillo

  • Luxury Choice

    • Sun block

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest James Ellroy

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Jan 2010 11:15
  • Fri 22 Jan 2010 09:00

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