Poetry at Bard-(All Recordings) | Poetry at Bard

These audio recordings have been digitized from a collection of cassette and open reel tapes of readings and lectures at Bard over the last 50 years. The collection was initially established with funds provided by the Carter A Towbin Poetry Fund in 1982 and first located in Albee Hall before moving to the Olin Building. Our hope is to use the recordings to help tell the story of Bard as an exuberant place for poetry for more than half a century.

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Reading by Tom Raworth

Tom Raworth

This reading was part of the John Ashbery Poetry Series that ran from approximately 1995 to 2007 and brought leading contemporary poets to Bard for readings and discussion. Raworth shares various poems, including political pieces, personal facts, and experimental works. Raworth discusses his writing process and concludes with a unique musical box performance of a poem called "War on Terror."
Tom Raworth

Tom Raworth

University Days / Eternal Sections. March 17th, 1989 in Olin 102. This recording includes introductions, recitations of various poems and prose pieces, and reflections on language, translation, and current events. The content explores themes of politics, perception, and artistic expression.
Rene Ricard

Rene Ricard

Reading by Rene Ricard at Bard College on November 2, 1982. Recorded in the Albee Social. The poems cover themes of love, sexuality, urban life, and personal experiences. Ricard also shares anecdotes about his life and interactions with other artists and writers.
Elizabeth Robinson

Elizabeth Robinson

Reading given by Elizabeth Robinson at Bard College, April 16, 1986. The poems cover diverse themes including nature, relationships, and personal experiences. Robinson shares original works, some inspired by other poets, and provides context for certain pieces.
Elizabeth Robinson and Lenny Schwarz

Elizabeth Robinson and Lenny Schwarz

Readings given by Bard Students Elizabeth Robinson and Lenny Schwarz, December 6, 1983. Mr. Schwarz indicates that his poems are taken from his senior project in poetry. They read various poems exploring themes of identity, perception, nature, and urban life. The poems range from abstract to narrative, with imagery drawn from cities, landscapes, and personal experiences.
Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn

Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn

Reading given by Janet Rodney and Nathaniel Tarn from their joint collection, Alashka. Bard College, February 27, 1976. Recorded in Bard Hall. Introduced by Robert Kelly. They explore themes of nature, indigenous cultures, and human relationships through their collaborative work.
Jerome Rothenberg

Jerome Rothenberg

Reading given by Jerome Rothenberg at Bard College on May 1, 1970. Containing original work, translations, and transcriptions of sound-poems while focusing on works inspired by Jewish culture, Eastern European history, and Native American traditions.
Raphael Rudnik

Raphael Rudnik

Reading given by Raphael Rudnik at Bard College, December 3, 1975. Recorded at Ward Manor, 8:00p, featuring various poems and excerpts from a longer work called "Silver Ship." The poems cover themes of identity, apocalypse, and horse racing, with vivid imagery and introspective narratives.
Andrew Sarris

Andrew Sarris

Lecture given by film critic Andrew Sarris at Bard College, April 1974. Recorded in Bard Hall. Sarris discusses the history and analysis of film, including topics such as the auteur theory, the role of directors and screenwriters, and the representation of women in cinema.
Harris Schiff

Harris Schiff

Reading given by Harris Schiff at Bard College, April 1, 1980. This reading contains a series of poetic and prose vignettes, exploring themes of urban life, travel, social issues, and personal reflections. The pieces touch on experiences in New York, Los Angeles, and other locations, blending vivid imagery with social commentary.
Peter Schjeldahl

Peter Schjeldahl

Reading given by Peter Schjeldahl at Bard College, October 1974. Recorded in the Procter Art Center. The poems cover diverse themes including nature, animals, contemporary life, and personal experiences. Schjeldahl also shares prose pieces on topics like drinking and marriage, interspersed with commentary on his writing process.
Armand Schwerner

Armand Schwerner

Reading given by Armand Schwerner on October 21, 1975. Introduction by Robert Kelly. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room. Schwerner reads and reflects on pieces covering themes of mortality, spirituality, and personal experiences, interspersed with commentary on his writing process and interactions with the audience.
Hugh Seidman

Hugh Seidman

Reading given by Hugh Seidman at Bard College, April 5, 1973. Recorded at the Albee Social. Seidman shares poems covering themes of love, anger, war, and personal experiences, while providing context for his writing process.
Mary Lee Settle

Mary Lee Settle

Reading given by Mary Lee Settle from her then-forthcoming novel Blood Ties. Recorded November 5, 1975 in Brook House. Settle discusses the plot and characters of her novel, which is set in a Turkish coastal town in 1972 and centers around the drowning of several students and the subsequent impact on the town's residents and plans to build a hotel.
Mary Lee Settle

Mary Lee Settle

Mary Lee Settle in conversation about her 1973 novel Prisons. Recorded in the Poetry Room, December 5, 1973. The novel explores themes of revolution, individual action, and the aftermath of upheaval. The discussion covers the novel's historical inspiration, character development, and the author's creative process.
Eleni Sikelianos

Eleni Sikelianos

This reading took place on May 4, 2001 and was part of the John Ashbery Poetry Series that ran from approximately 1995 to 2007 and brought leading contemporary poets to Bard for readings and discussion. Sikelianos presents selections from her book "Earliest Worlds." The poems cover diverse themes, including nature, history, and personal experiences, with influences from Proust and Sappho evident throughout the reading.
Reading by Ron Silliman

Ron Silliman

This reading was part of the John Ashbery Poetry Series that ran from approximately 1995 to 2007 and brought leading contemporary poets to Bard for readings and discussion. Silliman reads a lengthy poem called "X" or "Xing" from his work "The Alphabet," which contains various poetic observations, personal anecdotes, and reflections on language and society.
P. Adams Sitney Film Lecture

P. Adams Sitney

Lecture on Gertrude Stein, Avante-Garde Film and filmmakers like Stan Brakhage and Ernie Gehr. February, 11th, 1988 in Olin Auditorium
Piotr Sommer: Things to Translate

Piotr Sommer

Poems from the 70s & 80s. March 6th, 1992. Sommer shares poems in English and Polish, reflects on translation challenges, and discusses the reception of American poetry in Poland. The conversation explores themes of language, culture, and poetic influence.
Peter Sourian

Peter Sourian

Peter Sourian reading at Bard College from his then-unpublished novel The House. Recorded March 2, 1976, Bard Hall, 8:00pm. Sourian discusses the challenges of writing autobiographical fiction. He explores themes of family, death, and self-discovery while reflecting on the process of revising and fictionalizing personal experiences.
Peter Sourian and Lucy Ferris

Peter Sourian and Lucy Ferris

Reading given by Lucy Ferris and Peter Sourian at Bard College, 1985. Introduced by Robert Kelly. The reading contains excerpts from their novel-in-progress, discussing themes of family, relationships, and the human condition. They cover the opening chapters and provide insight into the author's writing process.
George Starbuck

George Starbuck

A reading given by George Starbuck at Bard College on November 8, 1967, at the Procter Art Center, 8:00pm. Starbuck presents poems on various themes, including war, animals, and love, interspersed with commentary on his writing process and inspirations. The reading concludes with a lengthy political poem.
Readings by Brian Kim Stefans and Michael Ives

Brian Kim Stefans and Michael Ives

This reading was part of the John Ashbery Poetry Series that ran from approximately 1995 to 2007 and brought leading contemporary poets to Bard for readings and discussion. Stefans and Ives read from their published works and manuscripts, exploring themes of language, culture, and human experience through various poetic styles and forms.
Charles Stein

Charles Stein

Reading given by Charles Stein at Bard College, March 16. 1976. Recorded in the Towbin Poetry Room, 9:00pm. The reading contains several long poems and poem sequences, including "Parts," "Point Sphinx," and "Horse Sacrifice." The poems explore themes of nature, mythology, consciousness, and the creative process through vivid imagery and philosophical reflections.
Peter Straub: Selections

Peter Straub

Selections from "The Throat" and "Houses Without Doors". December 2nd, 1991 in Olin 102. Straub discusses his writing process, collaborations, and influences. He reads excerpts from his works, talks about character development, and shares insights on inspiration, personal experiences, and the challenges of crafting endings in novels.