Joyce’s first published book was a collection of thirty-six lyrical poems called Chamber Music, published by Elkin Mathews in London in 1907. The poems were written between 1901 and 1904, and several were published in magazines in 1904. By 1907, Joyce had lost interest in the poems and it was only thanks to his brother Stanislaus that the publication of the book went ahead. Stanislaus was also responsible for the order in which the poems appeared in the first edition. Some of the poems were inspired by Mary Sheehy, an early love interest of Joyce’s, and others were inspired by Nora Barnacle. Poems from Chamber Music have been set to music by over one hundred a fifty composers, including Samuel Barber and Luciano Berio, and Joyce even set one poem, ‘Bid Adieu,’ himself.

Press ‘A’ to learn more about Joyce’s collection Pomes Penyeach… Press ‘B’ to learn more about Joyce occasional poems… Press ‘C’ to listen to an excerpt of ---…

ABC