We often think of the “greats” of the past as something almost legendary, something we can only access through their books and memoirs. However, we are lucky to have some recordings of a few Russians writers and poets reading their own work. Listening to their voices reminded me that they were living people and somehow turned down their “deity” status and brought them closer to us.

Лев Толсто́й/Leo Tolstoy

We think of Leo Tolstoy as a 19-century writer, however, he lived until 1910 and tried out multiple then-cutting-edge technologies. He was the subject of a color photograph and appeared on film. According to Open Culture,

[…]Tolstoy made several audio recordings of his voice, on a phonograph sent to him personally by Thomas Edison.

The recording below is of The Power Of Childhood (Сила детства) — a story loosely based on Victor Hugo’s poem “Guerre civile.” It appears that the recording is a bit more free-form and does not follow the story as published verbatim. However, it is close enough to follow along.

I was not able to find an English translation. In a nutshell, the story tells of a man dragged by a mob to be executed for his part in the violence against them. The man’s son runs up to him and refuses to leave fearing the mob will hurt his father. The crowd is moved by this scene and lets the man go.

Влади́мир Маяко́вский/Vladimir Mayakovsky

Vladimir Mayakovsky was a poet in the Futurist movement and was active at the beginning of the 20th century. He was known for his compelling, theatrical manner of reciting poems.

This poem is short enough to cite in full. Follow along the English translation.

ПОСЛУШАЙТЕ!

Послушайте!
Ведь, если звезды зажигают —
значит — это кому-нибудь нужно?
Значит — кто-то хочет, чтобы они были?
Значит — кто-то называет эти плево́чки жемчужиной?

И, надрываясь
в метелях полуденной пыли,
врывается к богу,
боится, что опоздал,
плачет,
целует ему жилистую руку,
просит —
чтоб обязательно была звезда! —
клянется —
не перенесет эту беззвездную муку!
А после
ходит тревожный,

но спокойный наружно.
Говорит кому-то:
“Ведь теперь тебе ничего?
Не страшно?
Да?!”
Послушайте!
Ведь, если звезды
зажигают —
значит — это кому-нибудь нужно?
Значит — это необходимо,
чтобы каждый вечер
над крышами
загоралась хоть одна звезда?!

Бори́с Пастерна́к/Boris Pasternak

Boris Pasternak is known for his novel Doctor Zhivago. However, he was also a prolific poet. The video below is him reciting his poem “В больнице” (In Hospital). An English translation is available.