Caitlan's report on the music of Samuel Barber was excellent, as all the reports have been. Samuel Barber, one of and perhaps my favorite 20th century composer, is known for his post-tonal, neo-romantic style music that has an elegant, lyrical quality bathed in rich counterpoint and powerful emotion. Each song, piece is distinctly Barber but also original to itself, containing a consistently not applicable to anything but that work. This makes his music highly unified but also quite varied. From choral works, operas, symphonies, concertos, piano pieces to songs, Barber covered the gamut of music literature. At times edgy and angular, other times warm and resonant, Barber's music has something for everyone. We listened to Adagio for Strings, the Piano Concerto, a piano piece, and a song, all to great enjoyment.
I must confess that in my humble estimation, Barber is the greatest of the 20th century composers particularly among Americans. My Philip Glass today ended up vacillating with Barber as well!
So we are nearing the end with reports on Stravinsky and Britten. A couple more practice tests and it is time for the big one--Major Field Achievement Test in music. I think we are nearly ready but all of us need to do some additional study.
See you in class.
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I knew it would! Great Job Kris and Charles
ReplyDeleteI really never took the time to listen to Barber's symphony 1. It's one of those pieces, like say the first time you hear 1812 Overture or Scheherazade, that just gets inside you and stays with you for a good period of time. I'm amazed that I got through most of college without hearing that piece. I also don't hear it talked about much. If you haven't heard it, I suggest you listen to it immediately.
ReplyDeletePetros is right! The Barber Sym. No. 1 is a gripping, emotional work. I also like Barber Essays for Orchestra and the piano concerto. All great stuff for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad that Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and countless others stepped forward to represent our great country with national idioms disguised in the form of music. I get a feeling of nationality every time I hear music from American composers and I am proud to be an American because of their contributions to the arts!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am also currently listening to Barber's Symphony No. 1 as I type this. What a wonderful piece of work, indeed! I am only on the first movement, but I already enjoy it! I can't wait to hear the others in a few moments.
Thank the Lord for Naxos Music Library!
I think that it is interesting that Dvorak had an influence on American composers.
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