I've just discovered that Benjamin Bagby's recitation of Beowulf, which I've heard live several times, is available on DVD. Bagby's performance in person is compelling and magical, the closest I've ever come to the "souls" of my Nordic ancestors in music. I can't review the DVD yet. I've just ordered it, and I'll have more to say when I've watched it. The five stars are for Bagby's recreation of the "scop's" performance. If you don't know Bagby's work with his ensemble Sequentia, consider this a serious heads-up!



Later, after watching: No disappointment! In fact,the ability to watch the subtitles comes as a very great bonus, but even listening without them, I find it easier to catch some of the poem than I do when I try to read it. Bagby's pronunciation is very Scandinavian, which I approve; his choice is based on scholarship, while mine is simple Swedish nationalism. Bagby is an intense man in person, but no warrior. In performance, with his resonantly masculine voice, he becomes one. There he sits, with a simple blue curtain backdrop, and holds his live audience spellbound. Spellbound? What an appropriate English word for the effct of the 'scop' entertaining the viking thanes in their mead hall.

So... Does a solo recital of unintelligible poetry accompanied by a seven-string harp have entertainment value? Yes, it does!