J.H. Prynne has been described as ‘England's leading late modernist poet’. His work is often thought of as formidably dense and abstract, but it is also playful, strongly rhythmic, and acutely sensitive to the sounds of the language. Prynne himself gives readings very rarely, not wanting his own biological voice to be mistaken for the ‘sound’ of the poems. In a rare experimental performance – and with the blessing of the poet – this evening will involve group soundings of two of Prynne’s recent poetry sequences: Kernals in Vernal Silence (2020) and At Raucous Purposeful (2023). Connections between Prynne's work and other experimental media are explored via the work of the improvising musicians Angharad Davies and Dominic Lash, and videos/films by Kerry Baldry, Riccardo Iacono, Jamie Jenkinson, Deniz Johns and Samantha Rebello.

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Programme

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Selections from recent Lamp Posts (2010 to date, video) Riccardo Iacono 

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Kernals in Vernal Silence (2020) J.H. Prynne 

performed by William Crosby, Kelcy Davenport, Deniz Johns, Simon Payne

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Deities Kerry Baldry (2015, video)

Media Blackout I Deniz Johns (2016, video)

Fingers in the Gorse Jamie Jenkinson (2022, video)

 

Angharad Davies – solo violin

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Psalter Samantha Rebello (2019, 16mm)

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At Raucous Purposeful (2023) J.H. Prynne

performed by William Crosby, Kelcy Davenport, Deniz Johns, Simon Payne

Angharad Davies (violin) Dominic Lash (double bass)