b. 1911d. 1972
Kenneth Patchen
Kenneth Patchen's poetry has been set to music by many American composers, including Simon Sargon, John Cage, Marion Bauer, and Richard Hundley.
Photo: Kenneth Patchen, 1936, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Audio
“Chorale: Breathe on the Living” (from “The Book of Uncommon Prayer”)
Awet Andemicael (soprano), Jazimina MacNeil (mezzo-soprano), Stephen Ng (tenor), Neil Aronoff (bass-baritone) & Carolyn Goff (piano)3:14
“Moon, Sun, Sleep, Birds, Live” (from “Fidelity”)
Nina Faia (soprano), Anthony Zoeller (baritone) & Terry Decima (piano)4:38
About
Born in Niles, Ohio, Kenneth Patchen was an inspiration to poets of several different movements, including the Beat Generation. Patchen was also a visual artist and a writer of prose. His writings were heavily influence by politics and jazz.
For more information about Kenneth Patchen, please visit the links listed to the right.
–Christie Finn
Related Information
Poetry Foundation
poetryfoundation.org/poets/kenneth-patchenKenneth Patchen Homepage
connectotel.com/patchenSongs
A Star in a Haymow1963 · A Star in a HaymowSimon SargonKenneth PatchenA Star in a Haymow1963Simon SargonKenneth PatchenAs We Take Each Other1963 · A Star in a HaymowSimon SargonKenneth PatchenBeautiful You Are1963 · A Star in a HaymowSimon SargonKenneth PatchenChorale: Breathe on the Living2008 · The Book of Uncommon PrayerKenneth PatchenLonesome Boy Blues1974 · Patterns in BlueSimon SargonKenneth PatchenOur Bodies Were Wings1963 · A Star in a HaymowSimon SargonKenneth PatchenMaiden Snow1960Richard HundleyKenneth PatchenO My Darling Troubles Heaven with Her Loveliness1998Richard HundleyKenneth PatchenO My Love the Pretty Towns1996 · FidelityDavid LeisnerKenneth PatchenSafe in My Arms1963 · A Star in a HaymowSimon SargonKenneth PatchenThe Book of Uncommon Prayer2008John MustoW. H. Auden, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Tess Gallagher, Archibald MacLeish, Katherine Mosby, Kenneth Patchen, Mark Strand
Songs
Chorale: Breathe on the Living2008 · The Book of Uncommon PrayerKenneth PatchenMoon, Sun, Sleep, Birds, Live1996 · FidelityDavid LeisnerKenneth PatchenThe Book of Uncommon Prayer2008John MustoW. H. Auden, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Tess Gallagher, Archibald MacLeish, Katherine Mosby, Kenneth Patchen, Mark Strand
Sheet Music