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Question: Your opinion on live poetry readings please!?
I've just (yesterday) attended my first poetry reading!. There was only one author, and he set much of his poetic verse to music of one kind or another!. I found this very distracting and I felt no connection because of this!. Are most poetry readings done this way!? And, which do you prefer - to read the poets words yourself or have the poet recite them!? Thank you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I've been to a few live poetry readings and I absolutely loved them!. I do, however, like to read the author's work beforehand and then hear them recite it!. That way I receive two interpretations, theirs and mine!. As for setting poetry to music, big faux pas in my book!. Poetry is music of a sort and when there are two kinds of music playing together, but not in sync, it's a little disconcerting and takes away from the value of both arts!. I can completely understand where you're coming from there!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I have attended a few poetry readings but none with music set to them!. I have listened to a few "spoken word" albums by Allen Ginsberg, the late great beat poet of the 60's that had some music in the background and then it had transitional music between readings, that worked great!.!.!.but I don't know how I'd like the situation you described, it doesn't sound like it worked in that case!.

I don't think most readings are done that way, I don't mind if its done that way personally, but some of the readings I've been to would probably not have been as good if done to music!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I like poetry by itself without musical accompaniment in general!. However, say a poem is about the ocean!. I would not mind having a soft recording of the ocean in the background!. Or say a poem is about Debussy's "Clair de Lune!." I would think it would be nice to have "Clair de Lune" playing softly in the background!. An other option would be to have the piece played first before the poem is read!. About 80% of the readings I have gone to have been just the plain poetry by itself!. One I actually participated in included someone who read poetry and then played some musical pieces with someone else accompanying them!. It was a nice change from what I was used to!. But in that case, I would say if you officially call it a poetry reading, have 75% of the time devoted to the poetry and 25% of the time or less devoted to music!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It really depends on the poet and the poetry!. I am not overly enamored of the musical accompaniment, but I have attended dozens of readings over the years!. I have presented my poetry at the annual New York State poetry convention several years ago, have read several times at coffee house open mic nights, and have always found these experiences to be a mixed blessing!. Some of the poetry was not, shall we say, inspired!.!.!. Would I prefer a live reading or to read the poems myself!? Almost invariably, I would choose to read myself, in fact to read the poems aloud to myself!. I've done this for so long that I've fully memorized hundreds of poems and, in the process, improved my own writing!. The choice is yours, but for me, I would rather interpret the work myself, read it for myself!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

To begin with, music is a mathematical progression of notes and/or chords, and it must match the precision of the meter of the poetry in order to complement and not detract from the poetry!. Therefore, if poetry is to be recited to music, it needs to be lyrical, and have meter, if not rhyme!. The ballad format I use a lot can be set to several tunes and sound good!. House of the rising sun, Ghost riders in the sky, yellow rose of texas, and many others!. When all fits, it sounds good!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The only poetry reading I have attended, have been one one on one or going back more years than I care to do at this point in time!.

When a good poet recites his words to you in the way they were meant to be received it is soothing, however I always read something myself to chose whether or not I would care to listen to it read by another!.!.
If I can take nothing away from the read, then being read to will invariably leave me feeling cold and empty with or without music!.
I cannot always even write properly with music playing, as even music with out words has meaning!. I would find music Very distracting, I believe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I have attended a number of poetry readings!. I very much enjoyed hearing the poets read their own poems!. They brought a dimension to the poems I probably would not have seen by merely reading them!. When I read poems I do so silently and then aloud!. I am almost always surprised at how differently I feel about them once I speak them aloud!.

For my own serious poems, I always read them aloud after I have written them!. Unless it is something trite I feel like posting, if I don't like the sound or heartbeat, I literally trash the poem, no matter that it may have taken three days to write!.

Unless the poem is in blank verse, I believe a musical background would add to the recitation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I prefer reading the poem myself in a complete silence, where I can feel the presence of the poet, and hear his/her voice reciting upon my reading; and when the voice ceases, I feel there is something wrong there!. I 'd listen to the poet's reciting his/her poem only when his/her voice is proper for the job!. Some times it is recited by a professional actor, but it still doesn't click right in my head!.
Good Q!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I attended one of Maya Angelou's poetry readings once!. She held the audience in the palm of her hand!. Somebody recently recommended to me an album by Jim Reeves called 'Talkin' To Your Heart', wherein he recites poems accompanied by lush musical backing - and (in the main) it works!. So, in answer to your question!.!.!.depends on the artist!.

Sin, if you want to visit my 'Do you believe in 3rd time lucky!?' posting, feel free!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Sin, it wouldn't work for me!. I'm visual, not audial!. I need to see the words to connect and bring to the page my own point of reference!. I don't feel a reading, especially with music (how distracting to the words!) would allow me to enjoy the poetry!.

maWww@QuestionHome@Com

To be honest I'd need to experience a poetry / music combo to see how it played out!.

I've seen art (paintings, sculptures) set to music!.!.!.(always contemporary) and it worked well in my opinion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I went to a poetry thing in Lawrenceville Ga!. Seems like more of spoken word!. Lots of different styles in poetry!. From what I heard seems like rap of a poetic theme!.
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