Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
First broadcast from 20060717 to 20060721.
5 episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20060717 | To many people, Barber is something of a one-hit wonder with his hugely popular Adagio for Strings. Yet he was one of the most frequently performed composers of the 20th century, both in Europe and America. Donald Macleod begins his exploration of Barber's life and works with a selection of pieces with which he was introduced to the American nation in his first radio broadcast. 3 Songs, Op 2, No 1, The Daisies Leontyne Price (soprano) Samuel Barber (piano) The School for Scandal overture, Op 5 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra David Zinman (conductor) Dover Beach for voice and string quartet, Op 3 Samuel Barber (baritone) Curtis String Quartet Sonata for cello and piano, Op 6 Ralph Kirshbaum (cello) Roger Vignoles (piano) Music for a scene from Shelley, Op 7 Detroit Symphony Orchestra Neeme Järvi (conductor). |
| 02 | 20060718 | Barber's trip to Europe triggered a love for its society and culture which continued for the rest of his life. While spending the summer of 1936 in the Tyrolean Alps, Barber set to work on a string quartet. But he was only happy with the slow movement which took on a life of its own as the famous Adagio for Strings. Donald Macleod introduces the vocal arrangement Barber himself made of the piece, plus a performance of his first symphony, premiered while he was studying in Rome; and Barber's first major orchestral commission, written on the eve of the Second World War. Strings in the Earth and Air, for voice and piano Cheryl Studer (soprano) John Browning (piano) Symphony No 1, Op 9 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra David Zinman (conductor) Agnus Dei for chorus, arr. for Adagio of Quartet for strings Dunedin Consort Concerto for violin and orchestra, Op 14 New York Philharmonic Orchestra Leonard Bernstein (conductor). |
| 03 | 20060719 | In 1942, Barber received his call-up papers but was given a non-combatant role which enabled him to continue composing. Donald Macleod introduces three of Barber's wartime orchestral works, plus his sublime setting of James Agee's poem Knoxville, Summer of 1915. Essay for Orchestra No 2, Op 17 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra David Zinman (conductor) Symphony No 2, Op 19, final movement Detroit Symphony Orchestra Neeme Järvi (conductor) Capricorn concerto for flute, oboe, trumpet and strings, Op 21 Jacob Berg (flute) Peter Bowman (oboe) Susan Slaughter (trumpet) St Louis Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin (conductor) Knoxville - Summer of 1915, for soprano and Orchestra, Op 24 Dawn Upshaw (soprano) St Luke's Orchestra David Zinman (conductor). |
| 04 | 20060720 | By the time Barber reached the age of 40, he was in constant demand, both as composer and conductor. He was invited to London to record his cello concerto with the soloist Zara Nelsova. Donald Macleod introduces the final movement from that vintage recording, plus two commissions - one to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the League of Composers and the other a chamber piece for the principals of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Sonata for Piano, Op 26, in E flat m John Browning (piano) Concerto for cello and orchestra, Op 22 Zara Nelsova (cello) New Symphony Strings Samuel Barber (conductor) Hermit songs for voice and piano, Op 29, No 8, The Monk and his Cat Leontyne Price (soprano) Samuel Barber (piano) Summer Music for wind quintet Michael Thompson Wind Quintet Prayers of Kierkegaard for soprano, choir and orchestra, Op 30 Chicago Symphony Chorus Chicago Symphony Orchestra Andres Schenk (conductor). |
| 05 LAST | 20060721 | Donald Macleod introduces works from Barber's final years, including highlights from the opera written in collaboration with his partner, Gian Carlo Menotti. Plus two concertos written with particular performers in mind - pianist John Browning and principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic, Harold Gomberg. 2 Songs for unaccompanied chorus, Op 42, No 2, To be sung on the water Oregon Repertory Singers Gilbert Seeley (conductor) Vanessa - Opera in 4 acts, Op 32, Act 1 (The drawing room. A night in early winter) Vanessa....Christine Brewer (soprano) The Old Baroness....Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano) Erika....Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano) Anatol....William Burden (tenor) The Old Doctor....Neal Davies (bass-baritone) BBC Singers BBC Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin (conductor) Concerto for piano and orchestra, Op 38 John Browning (piano) Cleveland Orchestra Georg Szell (conductor) Canzonetta for oboe and string orchestra Julia Girdwood (oboe) Scottish Chamber Orchestra Jose Serebrier (conductor). |