Samuel Barber's exquisite collection of songs is now available in a comprehensive album, 'Barber: Complete Songs', released on 26 February 2023 by Brilliant Classics. This classical music masterpiece spans 1 hour and 47 minutes, showcasing the artist's profound ability to craft emotive and intricate pieces.
The album features a wide range of songs, including '3 Songs, Op. 2', '3 Songs, Op. 10', and '4 Songs, Op. 13', each one a testament to Samuel Barber's skill in setting poetry to music. The 'Hermit Songs, Op. 29' and 'Despite and Still, Op. 41' showcase his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his compositions.
With songs such as 'Nuvoletta, Op. 25', 'Mélodies passagères, Op. 27', and '2 Poems of the Wind', Samuel Barber demonstrates his remarkable range and depth as a composer. The album also includes lesser-known pieces like 'Fantasy in Purple' and 'Music, When Soft Voices Die', which add to the overall richness of the collection.
Samuel Barber's 'Barber: Complete Songs' is a must-listen for fans of classical music, offering a unique opportunity to experience the full breadth of his artistic talent. Through this album, listeners can appreciate the beauty and complexity of his compositions, and gain a deeper understanding of his contribution to the world of classical music.
2023 Brilliant Classics2023 Brilliant Classics
Tracks
3 Songs, Op. 2: I. The DaisiesSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, Op. 2: II. With Rue my Heart is LadenSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: VIII. The Monk and His CatSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: IX. The Praises of GodSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: X. The Desire for HermitageSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Despite and Still, Op. 41: I. A Last SongSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Despite and Still, Op. 41: II. My Lizard (Whish for a Young Love)Samuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Despite and Still, Op. 41: III. In the WildernessSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Despite and Still, Op. 41: IV. Solitary HotelSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Despite and Still, Op. 41: V. Despite and StillSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, Op. 45: I. Now Have I Fed and Eaten up the RoseSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, Op. 45: II. A Green Lowland of PianosSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, Op. 45: III. O Boundless, Boundless EveningSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
2 Poems of the Wind: I. Little Children of the WindSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
2 Poems of the Wind: II. LongingSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
2 Songs of Youth: I. Invocation to YouthSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
2 Songs of Youth: II. I Never Thought That Youth Would GoSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Fantasy in PurpleSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
A Slumber Song of the MadonnaSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, the Words from Old England: I. Lady, When I Behold the RosesSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, the Words from Old England: II. An Earnest Suit to His Unkind Mistress not to Forsake HimSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
3 Songs, the Words from Old England: III. Hey Nanny No!Samuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Ask me to RestSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Au claire de la LuneSamuel Barber, Filippo Farinelli, Leilah Dione Ezra, Mauro Borgioni, Elisabetta Lombardi
Samuel Barber, born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1910, stands as one of the most celebrated American composers of the mid-20th century. His music, deeply rooted in the romantic and lyrical traditions of the 19th century, is known for its emotional depth and expressive power. Barber's compositions often embrace traditional harmonic language and formal structures, making him a beacon of romanticism in an era dominated by musical modernism. His works, such as the iconic "Adagio for Strings" and "Overture to 'The School for Scandal'," showcase his mastery of melody and his ability to evoke profound emotions. Barber's versatility is evident in his compositions for various forces, but his song-writing is where his romantic and passionate spirit shines brightest. Despite his adherence to classical forms, Barber did not shy away from incorporating elements of modernism in his later works, adding layers of complexity and innovation to his repertoire. His legacy endures, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century classical music.