Robert Duncan Reads "Passages" at the Berkeley Poetry Conference, 1965

Today we're highlighting a newly-added recording of Robert Duncan reading at the historic Berkeley Poetry Conference. Recorded on July 16, 1965, this is ostensibly Duncan's reading from that day, introduced by Thomas Parkinson, and the one hour and forty minute set includes sections 1–25 of "Passages," Duncan's series that stretched across Bending the Bow (1968) Ground Work (1984), and Ground Work II (1987).

This new addition complements another recording of Duncan at the Berkeley Poetry Conference, presumable from during his seminar held July 12–16, which includes the titles"Often I am Permitted to Return to a Meadow," "Structure of Rime" numbers 9–11, "Apprehensions," "Osiris and Set (from Roots and Branches)," "A Poem Beginning with a Line by Pindar," "The Continent," and "The Multiversity." Taken together they present a fuller portrait of Duncan's influential presence at this landmark conference, though sadly we still do not have a recording of his July 13th lecture "Psyche-Myth and the Moment of Truth." Listen to both Berkeley recordings by clicking here

On PennSound's Robert Duncan author page you'll find a wide array of readings, talks, films, and more from 1951–1986, along with a 1990 memorial reading. Click here to start browsing.