A propos 777 Interesting Samuel Barber Facts, here are some facts minus conjecture. Agnus Dei was 'written', rather adapted, in 1967 at the insistance of Barber's publisher, G. Schirmer, with the sole idea of making even more money off of the already well known Adagio for Strings by offering it to choruses in multiple copies. He simply laid sacred words on top of the string music. This is how the music business works. There is no evidence of any great artistic impulse on Barber's part. All music for voice is not opera: The Hermit Songs (1953) are a song cycle for one voice and piano meant for concert and not to be staged or in costume with acting. That's opera. Prayers of Kierkegaard (1954) is a work for chorus, soprano, and orchestra, also for concert and not staged, ergo not opera. I met Barber in 1979 in Spoleto and worked with Menotti. They are both marvelous 20C composers- perhaps not duly recognized. Menotti, whose star has dimmed, did not consider himself an American composer tho he studied at Curtis and most of his vocal music is in English, much of it to his own poetry. Barber is, simply, a fortress. Mo. Italo Marchini
For lots more information on the composer, check out the feature-length documentary about him at samuelbarberfilm.com (the trailer for which is right here on TH-cam at th-cam.com/video/vocWjva9in0/w-d-xo.html). P.S.: Peculiarly, for all my familiarity with the composer, I can't say that any of the 15 minutes of piano music heard here, was even written by Barber...
What a pity that there are so many errors in the text. Who wrote this nonsense? Not a Barber connaisseur. Hermit Songs and Prayers of Kierkegaard are not opera's! And Vanessa is indeed a majestic grand opera. Listen to the new Glydebourne 2018 recording and you will hear a masterpiece.
Pathetic video. It must be made for people who read at a 2nd grade level since it moves so slowly. And what is the deal with the horrible music that's playing?
Thank you for posting this. The text was written for the superficial masses to delude them into thinking by watching the very long video that they now know the facts of his life….
Beautiful essay on my favorite composer. He is so under-programmed today; it's frustrating.
GREAT OMMISSIONS: Knoxville, Summer of 1915, the Cello and Piano Concerti , the Piano Sonata....😢
What is the piece being played?
Two years later and I finally figured it out. It’s a track called Sad Ray Of Sunshine, by Karen A Davis.
A propos 777 Interesting Samuel Barber Facts, here are some facts minus conjecture.
Agnus Dei was 'written', rather adapted, in 1967 at the insistance of Barber's publisher, G. Schirmer, with the sole idea of making even more money off of the already well known Adagio for Strings by offering it to choruses in multiple copies. He simply laid sacred words on top of the string music. This is how the music business works. There is no evidence of any great artistic impulse on Barber's part.
All music for voice is not opera: The Hermit Songs (1953) are a song cycle for one voice and piano meant for concert and not to be staged or in costume with acting. That's opera.
Prayers of Kierkegaard (1954) is a work for chorus, soprano, and orchestra, also for concert and not staged, ergo not opera.
I met Barber in 1979 in Spoleto and worked with Menotti. They are both marvelous 20C composers- perhaps not duly recognized. Menotti, whose star has dimmed, did not consider himself an American composer tho he studied at Curtis and most of his vocal music is in English, much of it to his own poetry. Barber is, simply, a fortress.
Mo. Italo Marchini
Dear Mr Marchini, can I contact you, please?
Thank you for sharing your experience!
For lots more information on the composer, check out the feature-length documentary about him at samuelbarberfilm.com (the trailer for which is right here on TH-cam at th-cam.com/video/vocWjva9in0/w-d-xo.html).
P.S.: Peculiarly, for all my familiarity with the composer, I can't say that any of the 15 minutes of piano music heard here, was even written by Barber...
Magnificent, tender...
What a pity that there are so many errors in the text. Who wrote this nonsense? Not a Barber connaisseur. Hermit Songs and Prayers of Kierkegaard are not opera's! And Vanessa is indeed a majestic grand opera. Listen to the new Glydebourne 2018 recording and you will hear a masterpiece.
Pathetic video. It must be made for people who read at a 2nd grade level since it moves so slowly. And what is the deal with the horrible music that's playing?
Thank you for posting this. The text was written for the superficial masses to delude them into thinking by watching the very long video that they now know the facts of his life….