Winston Graham recording on Desert Island Discs - The Winston Graham & Poldark Literary Society

Ross Poldark · Status: Offline

Winston Graham recording on Desert Island Discs

Demelza · Status: Offline

Ross - looks like the file is too big to add to the forum - it's taking ages, but I have kept a copy and you should be able to to as well by the method I mentioned above.

Demelza · Status: Offline

Ross Poldark wrote:

I'd love to download the recording myself but I've no idea how to do it !

Right click on the link on the website and it will let you save it to wherever you like smile I'll put it in that new thread that you mentioned.

Ross Poldark · Status: Offline

Mrs Gimlett wrote:
I have a very old steam driven (of course - what else would you expect in the Nampara kitchen!) machine which does not utter a single squeak let alone an entire edition of DID. I heard the programme on another computer elsewhere, so couldn't do the proper link thingy.

Time for a new one I would have thought ? Have a word with Lady Poldark, ask next time she's in Truro to get you Trevithick's new top of the range gentry one as you're having trouble keeping up with all the family's increasing wardrobe, entertainment and household expenses.... wink

Mrs Gimlett · Status: Offline

Thanks for putting up the proper link, Ross!

I have a very old steam driven (of course - what else would you expect in the Nampara kitchen!) machine which does not utter a single squeak let alone an entire edition of DID. I heard the programme on another computer elsewhere, so couldn't do the proper link thingy.

I too found it very interesting and wished that Roy Plomley had delved a little deeper to bring out more. However, we are lucky that we know now what he sounded like and as you say those little anecdotes are just the kind of things he would store away for use in his highly detailed writings.

Ross Poldark · Status: Offline

bronny wrote:

Teni - it works for us in Australia now! Looking forward to listening to this! Might be an idea to add it in as a file attachment here somewhere in case the link ever disappears - I'm happy to do have a go at that - where should I put it Ross?

Glad you both liked it too as I found it a great new experience and insight into him, particularly as I also found I shared and liked many of the things and record choices he did as well. Trios Los Paraguayos were one of my favourites too as parallel to this I'm very much into "Rumba Flamenco" the South American insertion and interpretation of traditional Spanish Flamenco. The insuppressible humour of Gerard Hoffnung at the Oxford Union, "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" and one or two more.

I loved hearing him expressing his humour rather than just reading about it. The beetle episode particularly and how the actor did his best to disguise moving the chair as it showed how WG noticed the smallest of details so apparent in his books. His slowing down as he began to concentrate on explaining how other novelists worked from the inside out in contrast to his way of working from the outside in. Noting his pauses, his instant replies his whole manner of verbal expression now at last make him very much a 3 dimensional person as compared to before.

Previously it was like Jane Austen or other long gone writers you had no way of knowing the person and how it compared to their writings so I feel very lucky and fortunate now !! Interesting this as I hadn't realised it before.

Very interesting your Australian collections and direct links to Benno Moiseiwitsch and family and back to WG. What a small world !

I've just amalgamated not only this thread of the recording with an older thread called "Desert Island Discs", but also amalgamated two old threads also in "The Author" forum into "The Winston Graham Archives, Finds & General Memorabilia" sub-forum as well so a second copy/ file attachment of the recording could go in there too. Could you also create an Archive back-up of both of these threads plus the valuable recording on your hard drive as well for the Society ?

I'd love to download the recording myself but I've no idea how to do it !

Thanks as always

Ross

Ross Poldark · Status: Offline

Earlier topic of "Desert Island Discs" merged into here "Winston Graham recording on Desert Island Discs".

Smollett · Status: Offline

Great! Thanks Bron!

Demelza · Status: Offline

I have a very indirect link with WG - he mentions Benno Moiseiwitsch coming to stay with him (that's in his book as well of course) - our Performing Arts Collection in South Australia where I volunteer as curator has a collection by Benno's daughter Tanya who was a wonderful set and costume designer, and I have catalogued some of her collection. Benno's wife and Tanya's mum Daisy Kennedy was a famous Adelaide violinist who was initially a child star - we have her entire collection too. VERY indirect link - but nice! I expect WG met Tanya as a child.....and would certainly have known Daisy.

Demelza · Status: Offline

Listening now - thanks Jane! 'When I see a piano I could scream' haha!

Demelza · Status: Offline

Teni - it works for us in Australia now! Looking forward to listening to this! Might be an idea to add it in as a file attachment here somewhere in case the link ever disappears - I'm happy to do have a go at that - where should I put it Ross?

Chloe (was Bella) · Status: Offline

How lovely Jane, thank 'ee.

Judas it's been somewhat windy here, but the stormy clouds have passed over now, and the sun be smiling. My underskirts are muddy and soaked and are now drying by the fire, but this will take days. My poor garden looks battered and bruised. Must go, that old rogue Tholly be at the door.....yelling and shouting.....it seems there be a ship on the rocks and pickings for all......

Bells xxxx

-- Edited by Bella on Saturday 9th of June 2012 05:37:15 PM

Smollett · Status: Offline

So glad you are able to hear this; I discovered this many moons ago & was unable to access the link, perhaps being in Australia had forbbidden it, & had forgotten all about it in the ensuing years. Now that you've reminded me I'll try again. Fingers crossed!

Ross Poldark · Status: Offline

Excellent !! Thank you Mrs. G never having known or seen him it was a superb first time experience !! I think one of the things I shall remember the most was his view that for a lot of successful novelists they tend to start from within and work slowly outwards, whereas he preferred to start from some way out where he's not so certain about something and work back into himself. Then his great sense of humour with the beetle crawling across the stage.... biggrin And then the great Gerard Hoffnung as one of his choices too so plenty of listening and food for thought ahead.

Thank you again. smile

Mrs Gimlett · Status: Offline

I have just listened to the Desert Island Discs archive of Winston Graham. Not a programme where anything new is revealed, but interesting to hear his voice.

It is noticeable how much the radio series has evolved since 1977, where much longer music clips are played and there is little probing beneath the surface compared with nowadays.

At that time, of course , Winston had only just completed the seventh book (of Poldark), only just over half-way through the series.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/28b70566

Demelza · Status: Offline

RE: Desert Island discs

Smollett · Status: Offline

oops, I'll try to post it again Thanks Bron.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/28b70566

hope this works. Its BBC radio Desert Island disks' Winston Graham episode.

Demelza · Status: Offline

Hi Teni,

The link isn't working, sweets.....:(

Bron

Smollett · Status: Offline

I was searching for something else when I came across this:

009mz6l

the recording isn't available (yet) but the recordings are an interesting insight into another aspect of WG character. I did know that he liked 'The Nightingale & The Rose' as its also one of my favourites & we'd corresponded about it, but some of his other choices are new to me. I must say though, I'm not surprised as such, just pleasantly... surprised. ooo that's well written!!! Anyhow what do the rest of you think?