Robert Graves - The Spoken Word
Over a long career Robert Graves proved a prolific writer across a variety of genres - producing historical novels, classical translations and criticism - but he regarded himself as primarily a poet.
Drawing on previously unpublished BBC broadcasts that span more than 30 years, this CD presents a selection of recordings of Graves reading and commenting on his poems, including The White Goddess and To Juan at the Winter Solstice.
Also featured is a 1954 broadcast titled The Poet and his Public in which Graves gives an insight into his feelings about his audience and the difference in his approach to writing poetry and novels.
Listen to a sample track using Windows Media Player:
Robert Graves reading his poem 'The White Goddess', broadcast in 1950
Track listing
1. A Poet and his Public
2. Seven Poems by Robert Graves
? Love in Barrenness
? The Terraced Valley
? Like Snow
? Through Nightmare
? To Juan at the Winter Solstice
? Song of Blodeuwedd
? The White Goddess
? The Cool Web
? Under the Pot
3. Robert Graves (reads and comments on a number of poems he has written during the last twelve months or so) (includes introductions)
? With Her Lips Only
? Sirocca at Deyá
? The Straw
? The Mark
? Dethronement
? The Devil at Berry Pomeroy
? The Encounter
? The Blue-Fly
? Coronation Address [To H. M. The Queen]
? Leaving the Rest Unsaid
4. Robert Graves Reading Some of his Newest Poems (includes introductions)
? Ruby and Amethyst
? Recognition
? The Meeting
? Beware, Madam!
? Not at Home
? Horizon
? Lion Lover
? Ibycus in Samos
? In her Praise
? A Restless Ghost
? Three Songs for the Lute
I. Truth is Poor Physic
II. In her Only Way
III. Hedges Freaked with Snow
? Between Moon and Moon
? The Ambrosia of Dionysus and Semele
5. Now Read On (includes short comments)
? In the Name of Virtue
? Poisoned Day
? Semi-Detached
? When Love is Not
