TS Eliot Prize Readings (AUDIO)

London's Southbank Centre hosted readings by the nominated poets in the TS Eliot Prize on Sunday, drawing an audience more than 2,000-strong.

Gasp and laughs filled the grand hall as Carol Ann Duffy, John Burnside, Leontia Flynn, David Harsent, Esther Morgan, Daljit Nagra, Sean O'Brien and Bernard O'Donoghue took to the stage to deliver pieces of stunning craft and beauty to a spellbound audience. This was as close as poetry, so often an exercise in intimacy, gets to having a 'Glastonbury moment'.

Any lingering tension over the controversy that has surrounded the award this year - Alice Oswald and John Kinsella both withdrew from the running in objection to the prize's sponsor, Aurum Funds - was completely forgotten as the poems finally took centre stage.

For those not lucky enough to have attended, HuffPost UK Culture presents a complete two part recording of the evening.

From satirist Daljit Nagra's energetic opening performance, through Sean O'Brien and Esther Morgan's startling and touching verses, right up to poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, this is a must-listen for anyone with an interest in contemporary poetry.

Part 1

TS Eliot Prize reading - Part 1 by HuffPostUKCulture

Part 2

TS Eliot Prize reading - Part 2 by HPUKCulture

The winner of the £15,000 prize will be revealed on Monday.

Video Bernard O'Donoghue ts eliot prize John Burnside spoken word