Fleur Cowles
Roy Plomley's castaway is painter Fleur Cowles.
Fleur Cowles began her career as a columnist on one of the New York papers and before long she became the Associate Editor of the magazine Look. She became very influential and, in 1953, President Eisenhower asked her to be his personal ambassador to the UK for the Coronation. Before long, she made her home here and took up writing books and painting professionally. She has since had 34 exhibitions of her work.
In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating life and chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Promenade & Tulleries by Modest Mussorgsky
Book: Blank paper
Luxury: Painting materials
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Music Played
Castaway's Favourite
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Modest Mussorgsky
Promenade & Tuileries (from Pictures at an Exhibition)
Soloist: Gina Bachauer
- Pictures At An Exhibition.
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Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
True Love
- High Society.
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Victor Valencia
Dolencias
- TV Series The Flight Of The Condor.
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Camille Saint‐Saëns
Carnival of the Animals
Soloist: Cyril Smith, Phyllis Sellick
- Carnival Of The Animals.
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Enrique Granados
Andaluza (Dance No. 5) (from Danzas españolas)
Soloist: Andres Segovia
- andaluza.
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The Girl From Ipanema
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Giacomo Puccini
Sola, perduta, abbandonata (from Manon Lescaut)
Soloist: Bartoletti Orchestra: National Philharmonic Orchestra
- Manon Lescaut Act 4.
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Leonard Bernstein
Psalm 131
Choir: The Camerata Singers Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Book Choice
Blank paper
Luxury Choice
Painting materials
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Roy Plomley |
| Interviewed Guest | Fleur Cowles |
Broadcasts
- Sat 18 Jun 198318:25BBC Radio 4
- Fri 24 Jun 198309:05BBC Radio 4
Featured in...
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Archive 1981-1985—Desert Island Discs
Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island
Podcast
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Desert Island Discs
Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.






