RN Documentary: Whitman - Songs of the Poet
Series: RN Focus on Poetry
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Length: 00:29:28
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Piece Description
Part of the Series "RN Focus on Poetry" A “poetic divo” burst onto the literary stage in 1855 and changed the course of poetic expression. Walt Whitman’s epic “Leaves of Grass” is considered the beginning of modern poetry, and contains some of the most glorious use of language since Shakespeare. This two-part program explores the life and work of America’s greatest poet with biographer Gary Schmidgall, and Margaret O’Neill, curator of the Walt Whitman House in Camden, New Jersey, among others. NOTE to PD’s: Though the two programs were designed to be played in two successive weeks, either one can stand alone. There is enough music at the end of Part One to fade out before the narrator says, “Next Week…” and Part Two makes no direct reference to the first part. Part One: Songs of the Poet – explores the early life of Whitman, including his Dutch heritage; the relationship between his love of music and his emergence as a poet; and the exuberant sexuality expressed in his work – deemed “immoral” by 19th century conservatives.
3 Comments
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Review of RN Documentary: Whitman - Songs of the PoetAs scrupulous as it is conventional, this two part study of Walt Whitman runs the risk of explaining the poet right out of existence. The saving grace is radio's ability to not just discuss the musical influences on Whitman, but to share the music itself. But there is a heck of a lot of discussion. There's no challenging the depth of research and impeccable production values, hallmarks of pieces from Radio Netherlands, but it all feels slightly academic, which seems in conflict with its subject. It is a formal piece that wants to be used formally. |
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SHHHH--Did You Know He's Gay!?
Oh my gosh. I hate to say this, but this piece is just boring. Walt Whitman is a pretty hip cat for his time. He hung out with prostitutes, he was the original Down Low bro. He was as openly gay as you can…and in NYC, well just look at Chelsea!
But this documentary is old school, and we’re talking about that overly educated professorial delivery. This seems like a bunch of dull old over educated white dudes trying to take old Walt up to their level instead of getting down and dirty with poetry. First off, this hour focuses too much on opera and other hi brow interpretations of Whitman’s work and his budding life in New York. Frankly, I thought it was an opera piece (and we all know what an audience killer opera is) not a poet profile for a while. In fact, the use of opera really kills the sense of time. Whitman is a Civil War era kind of guy, but you can never tell, if you didn’t know this to be the case, because the of the focus on the opera. The delivery around the gay depictions of Whitman’s work is, well, quite frankly a bit nerdy titillating. I mean, the tone is kind like “ooohhhh look, we’re going to talk about the----shhhh---gay part! I kind of chuckled. After all, that’s one of the reasons he is so popular today. It is a pretty well planned and produced story of his life. All of the facts are here and there are some insightful pieces of information and commentary. The tour of his NJ home is a nice touch. There is a lot of effort here and I am feel kind of guilty not really liking this piece more. |
Transcript
AURAL TAPESTRY
“Walt Whitman: Father of Modern Poetry”
PART I: “Songs of the Poet”
MUSIC - “Non piu mesta” - Marilyn Horne DUR: 2’30”
Track 4 - Start-00.42/05.38-7.30
ID TAPE - “Weaving…an Aural Tapestry” (9”)
DAVID (over music): On an unusually warm June evening in 1852, the Italian contralto Marietta Alboni made her American debut at New York’s Metropolitan Hall. Her finale- “Non piu mesta” from Rossini’s opera of Cinderella- was said to have “electrified the audience.” The effect Alboni had on one spectator, who enjoyed the relaxed, all-male atmosphere of the theater’s upper tiers, may have changed the course of world literature. He was a 33 year old journalist named Walt Whitman.
MUSIC UP FOR VOCAL (at 42”)
TAPE - FW: “The influence of opera…
LW: …he was not humble.” DUR: 28...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
“Non piu mesta” Rossini Heroes… London 289 458 219-2 Marilyn Horne Rossini 1’30”
“Di tanti palpiti” (same) 1’30”
“Cruda Sorte” (same) 45”
“Horticultural Wife” Listen to the Mockingbird ARAB Z6555 NY Vocal Arts Ens. N.N. 1’15”
“Rocky Hill” Art of the Banjo Sonoton SCD248 Jerry Burnham Anon. 1’00”
“Raun’s Walts” (same) 45”
“Sometimes…” To the Soul EMI CDC2435.55028.2 Thomas Hampton N.Rorem 1’15”
“We two boys” (same) M.Tilson Thomas 1’45”
“Camptown Races” Primary Colors MCA MCD11775 Ry Cooder S. Foster 1’15”
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Posted on September 14, 2009 at 03:22 PM | Permalink
splendid
Indeed great. Author' operatic thinking is the best part of his approach to the poetry!
I enjoyed tremendously!
The only mention: Alboni whole being transformed in specific characteristics of her voice should be not associated with Marilyn Horne.
Probably,the closest sound had Jeanne Gerville-Reache, judging on a few of her recordings(cantabile-subito.de). It's difficult to find a modern replica of Alboni' voice, as the modern vocal production just way too far from Alboni'era.
American voice production is just too far forward;Horne'voice specifically is a soprano,but not a dramatic one,that often might be treated as a contralto,Marilyn' voice is a lyric soprano with artificially developed low extension. It does not diminish her art at all though.
Most certainly Alboni was a soprano (according to Blanche Marchesi, Alboni' pivot notes F-G suggesting it ). Incredible and interesting documentary. Forgive my English please.