Reading enthralls U. audience

Renowed Soviet poet Andrei Andreyevich Voznesensky and pioneering beat poet Allen Ginsberg enchanted a University audience reciting their poetic verse to approximately 200 people last night. Voznesensky, an imposing figure dressed in black pants and a white jacket, stood solidly on Harrison Auditorium stage for the hour-long poetry reading, combining humorous anecdotes with serious poems. While Voznesensky recited his poems in Russian in a loud and booming voice, Ginsberg, in his quiet and subdued tone, sometimes stumbled through the translated poems in English. The audience, which ranged in age from college students to senior citizens, crouched on the edge of their chairs for much of Voznesensky's reading as his voice resounded throughout the University Museum room. While the majority of the Soviet's dozen poems were serious in nature, he enlightened the mood by showing a view not often seen by Western people. "We send them our best ballerinas and get Pepsi-Cola in return. . . I yearn for plumbing and freedom of thought," read one poem by Voznesensky entitled "Techonology." Voznesensky stated, "Will you spread me like manure to spread knowledge, University of Pennsylvania. . . Please Lord give me an education at the University of Pennsylvania." Other poems, such as "Mother," focused on Soviet stereotypes of the United States -- many of which still remain despite more liberal attitudes by the government. "Don't go to America son. . . Don't go, they'll kill you," read the poem. After the hour-long recitation of poetry, audience members clustered around the two poets, many of whom were excited with the opportunity to speak to both of the celebrated poets. Russian Lecturer Ogla Rubenchik said that although the readings in Russian were excellent, the translation lacked the original context and feeling. "I thought the reading was wonderful," Rubenchik said. "Some of the translations were very good, though some didn't reveal the rhythm of the language. Voznesensky uses a lot of colloqialisms that were not reflected in the translations. Yet the poems still seemed to keep the spirit of the original." "When Ginsberg read the words themselves, they were beautiful, but I didn't feel it," said Heather Hendren, a first-year student at Bryn Mawr College. "I had to hear it in Russian to understand what it meant to this poet." Voznesensky, who will be teaching at the University for the remainder of the fall semester, will work closest with the 15 students in a class on contemporary Russian poetry. He is also expected to participate in activities with Philomathean Society and with students on the Russian floor of Modern Languages House, and attend receptions through several departments.

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