Episode 4
Disaster threatens Leonard Cohen's first European tour, but in Buddhism he finds spiritual solace. Read by Julian Barrett.
As Leonard Cohen turns 80, a new biography by Liel Leibovitz explores the life, work and passion of the poet-turned-musician. What makes Cohen such an enduring international figure in the cultural imagination?
Granted extraordinary access to Cohen's personal papers, Leibovitz evokes a complicated, sometimes contradictory figure. Born into a Canadian religious Jewish family, for years a reclusive lyricist on the Greek island of Hydra, known for his bold political commentary, his devotion to Buddhist thought and his later despair over contemporary Zionism, Cohen hardly follows the rules of a conventional rock star.
An intimate look at a man who, despite battles with stage fright and years spent in hermit-like isolation, is still touring and now seems to be reaching a new peak of popularity.
Today, disasters threaten Cohen's first European tour, but in Buddhism he finds the spiritual solace which enables him to write the groundbreaking Hallelujah.
Read by Julian Barratt, with Leonard Cohen quotes read by Colin Stinton.
Abridged by: Jo Coombs
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for 麻豆社 Radio 4.
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Reader | Julian Barratt |
Reader | Colin Stinton |
Producer | Pippa Vaughan |
Abridger | Jo Coombs |
Author | Liel Leibovitz |
Broadcasts
- Thu 5 Jun 2014 09:45麻豆社 Radio 4 FM
- Fri 6 Jun 2014 00:30麻豆社 Radio 4
- Thu 26 Jan 2017 14:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 27 Jan 2017 02:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 14:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 29 Mar 2019 02:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
Radio 4 on Music: Kaleidoscope - Leonard Cohen
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