A recitation of Four Quartets runs 1 hour and 20 minutes without intermission. Words Move|Music Moves runs 2 hours plus an intermission.

The poems can be recited beginning to end without intermission, or with a short intermission between the third and fourth poems in the suite (The Dry Salvages and Little Gidding). Words Move/Music Moves, the performance juxtaposing John’s recitation of Four Quartets with a string quartet performance, always includes an intermission.

Yes, John is happy to meet with the audience after the performance to discuss the poems, his approach to memorizing and preparing them for performance, and whatever other subjects are of interest.

There are no minimum or maximum numbers for the audience. Recitations can be done for up to around 100 people without amplification, depending on the venue. Beyond that number, the presenter supplies audio reinforcement.

Yes, that is how the event is usually arranged. John will work in advance of the event with a professional string quartet, selected by the presenter, to coordinate a seamless and thrilling evening of performance.

Four Quartets is as simple technically as the poems are complex poetically. For Technical Requirements and additional presenter materials, please visit our Press Kit.

Patiently. Persistently. The memorization took about three months. Preparing the poems for recitation in public required another three years. Why John decided to memorize the poems is a question in search of an answer.