Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

Composer of the Week explores the life and music of Samuel Barber, who is only considered one of the most expressive representatives of the Romantic trend in 20th century classical music, as well as one of the most frequently performed American composers. His most famous score is his early Adagio for Strings; some of his other breakthrough include his Piano Sonata, and the opera Vanessa.

Barber began studying piano from the age of six and started to compose from the age of seven. He went on to take composition lessons with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute of Music and, from this point, he never looked back, quickly becoming one of America’s most famous composers. He wrote in many different genres, including chamber, vocal, orchestral and works for the stage, and often composed in response to significant and highly desirable commissions. He enjoyed close collaboration with the performers he wrote for, shaping his music to their individual styles and capabilities. Only towards the end of his life, when he was struggling with depression, alcoholism and also cancer, did his creative output slow.

Music Featured:

Overture to The School for Scandal Dover Beach, Op 3 Cello Sonata, Op 6 (Adagio - Presto) Sure on this shining night, Op 13 No 3 Nocturne, Op 13 No 4 Adagio for Strings, Op 11 Violin Concerto, Op 14 (excerpt) Monks and Raisins, Op 18 No 2 Commando March Cello Concerto, Op 22 (Andante sostenuto) Medea Orchestral Suite, Op 23 (excerpt) Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op 24 Piano Sonata, Op 26 (excerpt) Souvenirs, Op 28 (Galop) At St Patrick’s Purgatory, Op 29 No 1 (Hermit Songs) The Monk and his Cat, Op 29 No 8 (Hermit Songs) Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op 23a Summer Music, Op 31 Vanessa, Op 32 (excerpt) Nocturne, Op 33 (Homage to John Field) My Lizard, Op 41 No 2 (Despite and Still) Canzone, Op 38a Piano Concerto, Op 38 (Allegro appassionato) Night Flight, Op 19a Antony and Cleopatra, Op 40 (Give Me Some Music) Agnus Dei, Op 11 In the Wilderness, Op 41 No 3 (Despite and Still) Third Essay, Op 47 A Green Lowland of Pianos, Op 45 No 2 Toccata festiva, Op 36 The Lovers, Op 43 (excerpt)

Ballade, Op 46 Canzonetta, Op 48

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio in Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Samuel Barber (1910-1981) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nnr8

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z