Program Notes – John Browns Body

 

America seems to have forgotten its only epic poem, John Brown's Body, the 400-page poem about the Civil War by Steven Vincent Benet. It was a 1929 Pulitzer Prize winner and the work became very popular in the years that followed. Even in the early 1950’s, it was still taught in high schools and colleges. An abridged version was adapted to the stage at the Yale School of Drama and it became a popular production in the ‘50’s, having over 1,000 performances both in New York City and on the road.

 

The cast consists of three narrators and a chorus and for most of its history, the narrators were Raymond Massey, Judith Anderson, and Tyrone Power. In a bit of local lore, film actor Harrison Ford was “discovered” for Hollywood while performing this work on stage at The Laguna Playhouse.

 

Other works of the era by Hemingway and Fitzgerald are still hugely popular and most people think of Gone with the Wind when they think about the Civil War. Yet John Brown’s Body arguable has more literary merit than the other, better know works of that era. Benet takes both simple and complex characters and weaves them together in a story with incredible intellectual depth and honesty. Moreover, he writes with words that speak directly to the heart in a way few writers of prose can match. Although it is one of the most under-appreciated works in American literary history, nonetheless it stands as a milestone in our literary evolution and it is still worthy of our attention.

 

With the incredibly warm reception accorded Ken Burns’ TV series The Civil War, it is clear that America ’s interest in the Civil War has been rekindled. It seems appropriate, therefore, to reintroduce a small portion of this masterpiece to modern audiences. What better background than music composed to showcase the poetry of this saga of America ’s most tortured years.

 

The main players in the drama are Jack Ellyat from a small town in Connecticut , Clay Wingate, wealthy scion of a plantation owning family in Georgia, Abraham Lincoln, and, first in body and later in spirit, the martyred abolitionist John Brown.

 

Though Ken Burns’ work and TV’s History Channel, the Civil War is much more real to us today than ever before. You know the story. So sit back, enjoy the music, and let Benet’s words fill your heart. If it speaks to you across the years, pick up the book and travel back to that tortured part of our past, let him lead your spirit to a deeper understanding about the tragic drama that is such an important part of America ’s history.

The music was composed by a brilliant young composer, Kevin Puts. You can get to know more about Kevin by visiting his webpage.

 

Click here to listen to the music.