Robert Donat Reads Favourite Poetry at Home / argo LP Vinyl

RG 192

Product Details:

• Label: Argo
• Format: Vinyl, Compilation
• Country: England
• Released: 1958
• Genre: Spoken Word, Poetry

Overview

Robert Donat Reads Favourite Poetry at Home is a moving collection of poetry read by one of Britain’s most revered actors, Robert Donat. This recording captures Donat's deeply personal connection to poetry, as he reads both celebrated and lesser-known works with extraordinary emotion and nuance. Recorded at home in intimate settings, these renditions offer listeners a glimpse into the soul of a man who turned to poetry as a solace during his struggles with illness.

Side One presents a selection of timeless poems, including works by Wordsworth, Keats, and Kipling, while Side Two highlights Christmas-themed poetry, featuring T.S. Eliot, Thomas Hardy, and more. Among the treasures on this record is Donat's poignant reading of The Prayer of St. Francis, considered a testament to his enduring faith and resilience.

Donat's ability to breathe life into each poem—whether exploring themes of nature, love, or spirituality—makes this compilation a unique tribute to his artistic legacy. Despite the technical imperfections of home recordings, this album remains a cherished artifact of Donat's profound artistry and passion for verse.

Track Listing

Side One: A Selection

1. On Westminster Bridge – William Wordsworth
2. Bright Star – John Keats
3. La Belle Dame sans Merci – John Keats
4. Ode to Melancholy – John Keats
5. Ode to Autumn – John Keats
6. The Way Through the Woods – Rudyard Kipling
7. Dirge for Fidele – William Shakespeare
8. The Ring and the Book (Extract) – Robert Browning

Side Two: Poems at Christmas Time

1. Early Carol – Anonymous
2. The Oxen – Thomas Hardy
3. Journey of the Magi – T.S. Eliot
4. Nightingales – Robert Bridges
5. Gus, the Theatre Cat – T.S. Eliot
6. Greater Love – Wilfred Owen
7. The Prayer of St. Francis – St. Francis of Assisi

Key Credits

• Compilation Assistance: John Donat
• Technical Restoration: Argo Records
• Permissions: A.P. Watt & Son, Faber & Faber, Curtis Brown Ltd., and others.

Box #150