Audio of Geoffrey Hill's "Mercian Hymns"?

November 3, 2009 9:02 AM

I am looking for an audio recording of Geoffrey Hill reading his Mercian Hymns. It's proving harder than I thought it would; I guess I am hoping someone has some sort of "inside" academic resources that aren't internet-apparent, or for some other kind of AskMe magic. I would happily pay for said recording.
posted by everichon to media & arts (7 comments total)

The British Library Sound Archive has recordings of Hill reading from Mercian Hymns, but you will have to pay.

I'm just jazzed to see a question about him on the green.
posted by Bromius at 9:14 AM on November 3

Yikes, it looks like I have to obtain use permission from...I guess Hill or his publisher? In any case, thanks, Bromius--I am going to take it as far as I can!
posted by everichon at 12:02 PM on November 3

I love the Mercian Hymns, I will read them to you in my inimitable english drawl if that helps.
posted by zemblamatic at 12:46 PM on November 3

Nothing compares to hearing Hill read these himself. Just thinking of it gives me chills, 20 years later.

"I like that," said Offa. "Sing it again." BRRRR!!
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:55 PM on November 3 [1 favorite]

If you need a stand-in, I could give it a shot. Hill was my advisor in Boston earlier in the decade.
posted by Bromius at 4:01 PM on November 3

Thanks, Bromius! I am going to write to him, and I think I also need to "clear" it with whoever owns the rights to the recording and the performance. I am going to call the appropriate person at the BL this week, and make sure. I may take you up on your kind offa if it comes to that. Oh yes I did.
posted by everichon at 4:49 PM on November 3

Steve Cleary, Curator of Drama and Literature of the Sound Archive of the British Library, has pointed out that there is a CD for sale of non-Hymn poems being read by Hill--though not to US customers!
posted by everichon at 11:25 AM on November 5