Burgess often read from his own work in public, at events and festivals; recordings would be made for publishers and publicity agents; and he would also read from it and discuss it at home, perhaps as part of the composition process. Here are clips of Burgess reading the famous opening section of Earthly Powers, a comic passage from The Pianoplayers, and a section of Napoleon Symphony; giving an outline of Any Old Iron (perhaps on a train with his wife Liana), and giving a sales talk about Enderby’s Dark Lady.

Anthony Burgess reading from Earthly Powers

Anthony Burgess reading from The Pianoplayers

Anthony Burgess reading from Napoleon Symphony

Anthony Burgess on Any Old Iron

Anthony Burgess on Enderby’s Dark Lady

Quick links: On A Clockwork Orange | On his novels | On Shakespeare | On the airwaves | At the podium | On his early life in Manchester | Anthony, Liana and Andrew Burgess at home | Musical writing | And popular music | Stage musicals | At the piano | Back to the Anthony Burgess On Tape home page

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