Страницы Русской Поэзии XVIII-XX вв.

Released by the state-owned Soviet record label Melodiya in 1982, this recording, titled 'Страницы Русской Поэзии XVIII-XX вв.' (Pages of Russian Poetry of the 18th-20th Centuries), serves as a curated archival selection of Russian literary heritage. Produced during a period when the Soviet cultural apparatus prioritized the preservation and dissemination of classical literature through spoken-word recordings, the record was intended to bring the canon of Russian verse into the homes of a broad audience. It functions as an auditory anthology, reflecting the educational values of the time.

The recording features the works of Yakov Polonsky and Apollon Grigoryev, two prominent figures of 19th-century Russian literature known for their contributions to lyrical and critical prose. The selection emphasizes the stylistic shifts in Russian poetry as it evolved from the structured refinement of the 18th century into the more introspective and romanticized forms of the 19th century. Melodiya’s production design for this catalog series was typically utilitarian, focusing on scholarly presentation rather than visual flair, and was received by the public as a staple of academic and domestic library collections.