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Coming Soon: The Spoken Word: Sylvia Plath


Look for a new CD, The Spoken Word: Sylvia Plath, published by the British Library, on 14 April 2010. Advanced orders will be accepted via the British Library's website in mid-March. Readers of this blog will be eligible for a 10% discount; look for an update here about that, also in mid-March.

This is a major publication and one that will mean incredibly much to the readers of this blog. For those unfamiliar, the Spoken Word is a series by the British Library, taken from their own Sound Archives as well as from the BBC's. Of interest possibly are the two, double CD's of Ted Hughes. Other poets included in the series are Edith Sitwell, W. H. Auden, and Stevie Smith, to name but a few. Each CD in the series has an introductory essay in the booklet, which also lists the tracks, recording dates, series, etc. I'll continue below, but please read the advanced notice announcement:

"Sylvia Plath is widely regarded as one of the most influential poets and authors of the 20th Century. Her frank, confessional style of writing won her many fans around the world, and she remains very popular over forty years after her death. This new CD from British Library Publishing brings together BBC recordings from the British Library Sound Archive, and includes Plath discussing and reading from her work. A particular highlight is a 1961 recording of a BBC programme Plath recorded with her husband, Ted Hughes, where they talk about their marriage and what it means to live with your muse. Many of these recordings are being published here for the first time."

The previously unpublished recordings include the interview Two of a Kind: Poets in Partnership, surviving extracts from A World of Sound: What Made You Stay?, a review of Donald Hall's Contemporary American Poetry, and the poem "Tulips" recorded live at the Poetry at the Mermaid Festival in London on 17 July 1961, and more. This is an amazing collection of audio tracks, one that will continue to lend vigor to the study of Sylvia Plath.

This is the first Plath audio release in more than three decades with new, previously unreleased recordings!!
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Comments

  1. Anonymous22 February, 2010 14:17

    Exciting news, Peter! Shame that it took so long - for years the shelves seemed to have CDs of almost every poet [i]but[/i] Plath reading their work :-). I'm looking forward to the release! ~VC

    ReplyDelete
  2. P.Viktor22 February, 2010 14:32

    This is very exciting news Peter - would you mind if I cross-post on my blog linking back?

    I can't wait to get my hands on this CD!

    All the best

    Paull

    ReplyDelete
  3. Peter K Steinberg22 February, 2010 14:35

    Cross-post away! I was thinking you'd wait a day, so that the news of your new poetry collection could get all the wonderful attention it deserves. Congrats, by the way!

    ReplyDelete
  4. P.Viktor22 February, 2010 14:42

    Thanks Peter! Indeed, I will post tomorrow I think. Very exciting - we finally get to hear Two Poets! P

    ReplyDelete
  5. _22 February, 2010 14:44

    This would be amazing on vinyl!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marion McCready22 February, 2010 16:15

    What exciting news, can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Melanie Smith22 February, 2010 17:02

    Thank you for this news.
    Waits excitedly!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous22 February, 2010 19:32

    This is like the best Monday ever. Thank YOU for the GOOD NEWS!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kristina Zimbakova23 February, 2010 04:48

    Thank you, Peter. We all look forward to it. Amazing stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  10. P.Viktor23 February, 2010 06:21

    Hi Peter, here's my cross-post for your info:

    http://pviktor.co.uk/p_viktor_/2010/02/sylvia-plath-the-spoken-word-a-new-cd.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. Peter K Steinberg23 February, 2010 06:35

    Paull, very nice cross posting. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous24 February, 2010 01:26

    Two thumbs way up! Thanks Peter! kim

    ReplyDelete
  13. panther24 February, 2010 11:10

    This is exciting news. And not before time! I've heard snippets of one or two of these before,and the very good interview she did with Peter Orr (she recorded "Daddy" on the same day) but now. . well, this is going to be great.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Peter K Steinberg24 February, 2010 11:53

    The Peter Orr reading & interview from 30 October 1962 is not on this CD. That recording is a British Council recording, and not originated by the BBC or BL.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rehan Qayoom24 February, 2010 13:05

    This is wonderful news. The entire Spoken Word series from the BL has been incredible and unique.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Peter K Steinberg24 February, 2010 21:12

    I agree Rehan, the Spoken Word CD's I have heard have been top quality productions. The Plath CD promises to continue building the series in positive ways.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous01 March, 2010 07:09

    I cant wait to get this, I might pre-order through Amazon.

    The only recordings of her voice Iv heard are on Youtube, the ones of her reading poems like "Daddy".

    Anyway, Im very excited for this :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Peter K Steinberg01 March, 2010 08:59

    I don't know what kind of discount Amazon is giving, but from mid-March if you order (or pre-order) through clicking a link on this blog (to be posted later) or my website, you'll receive a 10% discount.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous02 March, 2010 05:06

    Well Ill be using my Mother's credit card, she only likes using Amazon :( She's very wary of where she gives her credit card details.

    Is there any other information on exactly what is on this CD?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Peter K Steinberg03 March, 2010 08:17

    I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose the contents, will find out and report back. My website (www.sylviaplath.info/poetryworks.html) lists all of the known recordings (see audio section). So it would be possible to piece together something in the meantime.

    Cheers
    pks

    ReplyDelete

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