Longfellow Reads Longfellow: Song of Hiawatha

[4realexpat]

If you can, listen to Robert Powell's reading of an excerpt..It was on BBC radio 4[england] some 17 years back.

Wonderful voice

[LayneAllen]

I modify the original text slightly. As Billy Collins says it, "Audiences teach you the difference between what reads well on the page and what reads well to the ear."

[LayneAllen]

Your point is apt; well taken. I acknowledge adaptations fully on my "Longfellow Reads Longfellow" CD. I confess it did not occur to me to be sure that information transferred to the YouTube version. I'm not especially adept at this medium, but I'll add it if I am able. Layne Longfellow

[CarolPetunia]

This is extraordinarily fine work -- but I would feel a lot better about it if you included a statement right up front that editions have been made to the original poem. It strikes me as disrespectful to alter a work without acknowledgement. But as I say... it's excellent.

[LayneAllen]

"...my variations [are] minimal, never to alter the intent or the content or the feeling, but to render the writing more amenable to the oral reading."

"I modify the original text slightly. As Billy Collins says it, "Audiences teach you the difference between what reads well on the page and what reads well to the ear"

These are quotes from below on this page.. My readings intend to generate the response in today's listener that Longfellow created in the 19th century reader. Check my website.

[MiataBRG]

another awful reading. Why are people so willing to destroy the poems natural rhythm?

[RICPOIRIER1]

Belle réalisation! 5*

(from Montreal, Québec)

[LayneAllen]

@RICPOIRIER1 Merci!!!!

[loveupskirts]

we are footsteps in the sands of time...

[JordanDurell]

This is so beautiful, the cd of this man readings of Longfellow's poems is on the list of things I really want to purchase. They are things of beauty.' Longfellow touches ones heart."

[LayneAllen]

@JordanDurell I am very grateful for your comment. This work is the culmination of my life's work.

[LayneAllen]

I have five Longfellow readings on YouTube.

I modify the original text slightly. As Billy Collins says it, "Audiences teach you the difference between what reads well on the page and what reads well to the ear."

[timidboldness]

When I look up the poem from which this is based, the lyrics don't seem to match up. All the same, this is wonderful... I enjoy listening to it. Is there more available from this reading?

[LayneAllen]

@timidboldness I have five Longfellow readings on YouTube.

I modify the original text slightly. As Billy Collins says it, "Audiences teach you the difference between what reads well on the page and what reads well to the ear.

[KuraixOji]

@LayneAllen which part of the poem is this

[LayneAllen]

@KuraixOji It is the very opening, the Prelude, the Preamble

[KuraixOji]

@LayneAllen ah ok thanks. didnt know how much you had changed so i couldnt acuratley find it

[LayneAllen]

@KuraixOji I intended my variations to be minimal, never to alter the intent or the content or the feeling, but to render the writing more amenable to the oral reading (see my Billy Collins quote above). LL

[mpinedar]

@LayneAllen I have very much enjoyed this adaptation. Thanks!

[JessyJane]

Aha! Finally you are on Youtube! Now, if only, you'd get on Myspace! ;)

Voo