World War I Piano and Poetry
On 12 July 2012 Benedict Cumberbatch appeared in a very wetCheltenham at the World War I Piano and Poetry event at the Parabola Arts Centre. The event, part of the festivals Time Capsule 1914-1918 series, featured two extraordinarily talented pianists (Charles Owen andKatya Apekisheva) and readings of World War 1 poetry and prose by Benedict Cumberbatch. Insightful context was provided by historian Margot van Bers Streeter who was charming and engaging.
Benedict read very movingly from a variety of poetry and prose from the era ranging from an extract from Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford (Benedict stars as Christopher Tietjens in the Tom Stoppard adaptation due to air on BBC 2 this autumn) to the most well known WWI poem Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen.
A full list of the poetry and prose read by Benedict Cumberbatch at the event is below along with links to where the pieces can be read on-line as appropriate. A list of the beautiful music that was played at the event (including a showstopping 20 minute piano solo from Charles Owen which rightfully blew the roof off the place) is also below,
Poetry and Prose
Various extracts from Siegfried Sassoon's Memoirs of an Infantry Officer.
The Volunteer by Robert W Service
A letter from DH Lawrence to Catherine Carswell in which he discusses his joy at failing the medical exam which would have allowed him to serve.
In Memoriam by Ewart Alan Mackintosh (killed in action 21st November 1917 aged 24)
An extract from the memoir of Vera Brittain discussing the horrors of nursing men who had been subjected to a mustard gas attack.
In Flanders Field by John McCrae
Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen (killed in action in 1918 aged 25)
Extract from Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford
Great Men by Siegfried Sassoon
Music
Stravinsky Souvenir d’une Marche Boche 2’
Granados Marche Militaire 4’
Bridge Lament for Solo Piano 5’
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