Poetic Pairings - 4/19/2011

VPR Classical's 'poetic pairings' continue this morning in our ongoing celebration of National Poetry Month. Each weekday morning starts with a poetry reading followed by a piece of music that somehow relates to the theme of the selected poem.

Tomorrow is Earth Day, and with that in mind we turn to the inspiring writings of contemporary Greek poet Odysseas Elytis, from "The Garden with the Self-Deceptions". He won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1979 and he's considered to be one of the most important voices in Greek modernism. His verse is read by fellow Greek poet Olga Broumas.

After that we'll hear the colorful "Helios" Overture by Carl Nielsen, named after the Greek god of the sun and inspired by a real visit to Greece. The overture is a musical realization of a full day on the Aegean sea; from the gentle awakening of dawn (heard in the stirrings of the horns and strings) to the brassy fanfare of the full noontime sun, and finally the day's end with the quieting of the entire orchestra.

Listen for more poetic pairings this month, just after 8am weekdays on VPR Classical. You can also find out more about Vermont's month-long celebration of poetry, "Poetry Alive!" here.