Randy Newman

American composer, singer and songwriter Randy Newman is castaway by Kirsty Young.

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.

Randy 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".

DISC ONE: Beethoven's String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135 - The Hollywood String Quartet
DISC TWO: Alfred Newman - Goodbyes
DISC THREE: George Jones - The Door
DISC FOUR: Fletcher Henderson - The Stampede
DISC FIVE: Igor Stravinsky's Sacrificial Dance (from The Rite of Spring) - Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Zander
DISC SIX: Dmitry Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15 in A major, 1st movement - London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink -
DISC SEVEN: Mahler - Symphony No. 9 in D major, 4th movement - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan
DISC EIGHT: Ray Charles - Come Rain or Come Shine

CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: The Hollywood String Quartet - Ludwig van Beethoven's String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
BOOK CHOICE: The Divine Comedy (with translation) - Dante Alighieri
LUXURY CHOICE: A piano

Producer: Jane Thurlow

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2008.