b. 1907d. 1973
W. H. Auden
English poet W. H. Auden was an important influence on many American composers, including Samuel Barber, Lukas Foss, Ned Rorem, Leo Smit, and Louise Talma. He was also a friend and collaborator of British composer Benjamin Britten and Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.
Photo: W. H. Auden, 1959, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Audio
“Calypso” (from “The Book of Uncommon Prayer”)
Emily Albrink (soprano), Rachel Calloway (mezzo-soprano), Samuel Cook (tenor), Stephen Lancaster (baritone) & David Trippet (piano)3:47
“Death’s Echo” (from “Death’s Echo”)
Richard Lalli (baritone) & Juliana Hall (piano)4:32
About
Born in England, W. H. Auden permanently left for the United States in 1939 and became and American citizen, right at the outbreak of World War II.
Music was a major influence on Auden’s poetry. In the words of Jeremy Robson: “The influence of music on Auden’s verse . . . has always been salient: even his worst lines often ‘sound’ impressive.” (Encounter)
For more information about W. H. Auden, please visit the links below.
Related Information
W.H. Auden Society
audensociety.orgPoetry Foundation
poetryfoundation.org/poets/w-h-audenPoets.org
poets.org/poetsorg/poet/w-h-audenSongs
Calypso2008 · The Book of Uncommon PrayerJohn MustoW. H. AudenDeath’s Echo1992Juliana HallW. H. AudenEvening Land1995Joseph SchwantnerW. H. AudenHermit Songs, Op. 291954Samuel BarberAnonymousLullaby1984 · Singing to SleepScott WheelerW. H. AudenPoems of Love and Rain1965Ned RoremW. H. Auden, E. E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, Howard Moss, Jack Larson, Kenneth Pitchford, Theodore Roethke, Donald WindhamStop All the Clocks1965 · Poems of Love and RainNed RoremW. H. AudenStop All the Clocks1967John Woods DukeW. H. AudenThe Auden Poems1989Ned RoremW. H. AudenThe Book of Uncommon Prayer2008John MustoW. H. Auden, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Tess Gallagher, Archibald MacLeish, Katherine Mosby, Kenneth Patchen, Mark StrandThe Monk and His Cat (op. 29, no. 8)1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberW. H. Auden, AnonymousThe Praises of God1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous, W. H. Auden
Sheet Music