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Reviews from other months
POETS OF THE GREAT WAR: Poems by: Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Isaac Rosenborg, Richard Aldington, Edmund Blunden, Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke and many others. Music by Elgar and Britten. Read by: Michael Maloney, Jasper Britton, Michael Sheen and Sarah Woodward. Naxos Audiobooks NA210912/4 119m DDD.

 


Crotchet




As we remember the unbelievable tragedy of the First World War, it is apt that we should also honour the literary genius that was the product of such unimaginable horror. This superbly produced Naxos issue surely takes the cake for dramatic content and for the wide choice of poetry that is permeated with the most appropriate music. The set is split into seven major subjects amongst which one finds 'Anticipation', 'Battle', 'The Dead', Pastoral and most important 'Afterwards'.

We are also faced with some of the finest poems of the century. Legends such as Wilfred Owen'' bitter ''Dulce et Decorum Est' and Siegfried Sasoon's; 'To the Warmongers' are matched with the equally impressive 'Louse Hunting' by Isaac Rosenberg and Edward Thomas' 'The Sun used to Shine'. In the anticipation series one could single out Rupert Brooke's marvelous 'The Soldier' in which the glorious ideals of patriotism find their niche. However it is the shocking realities of war that really bring this set to grim life.

The tragic campaigns of Gallipoli, The Somme and other memorable battles are brought to life in Owen's 'Spring Offensive' and most of all Roseberg's heartbreaking 'Returning we hear the larks'. There are also a number of profound aftermath statements by Ezra Pound and Edith Nesbit. Elgar's 'Enigma Variations' makes an ideal backdrop to the grim and subtle texts whilst Britten's terse 'Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge' is also wonderfully atmospheric.

All readers are admirable in their dramatic poise and emotional restraint; it must have been indeed heartbreaking for them as they leafed through these deeply felt lines. Perry Keenylside provides notes of succinct quality and perceptive information and he also quotes a number of lines to prove his point. All in all, this set is a true memorial to those who died for all of us and with Elgar's 'Nimrod' accompanying Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen', the collection reaches a conclusion of heart rending passion and grief but ultimately there is also spiritual triumph.

'Now the sprinkled blackthorn snow
Lies along the lover's lane
Where last year we used to go
Where we shall not go again'

Edith Nesbit: 'Spring in War-Time'

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Reading:

Effects:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Reading:

Effects:

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