Appreciation by David Fisher

Paul Spicer, conductor, composer, organist, musicologist and author, made a triumphant return to our society following his previous visits with his equally brilliant discourses on Howells, Dyson and Bliss. He promised to prove to us that there was far more to Samuel Barber (1910–1981) than his famous, if ubiquitous, Adagio for Strings and, my goodness, that is exactly what he did and more.

We were presented with what was effectively a biographical overview illustrated with a great many musical examples to demonstrate Barber’s development from his early works to the full flowering of his genius as a composer of international standing. Like his contemporary Benjamin Britten, who was three years younger, he was a precocious child composer who benefited from a quarter of a century’s guidance from his uncle, the composer Sidney Homer, and nine years with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute. It was at the Institute that he met his lifelong partner Gian Carlo Menotti who was to support, influence and provide libretti for Barber. He wrote three songs at the Institute at the age of 13 which showed richness and technical assuredness with rich and modern harmonies. He wasn’t just a musician there though, as he excelled, we were informed, in all his subjects and inspired his fellow students.

It is clear from the track list below [coming soon (Webmaster)] that we were presented with, and enjoyed, a wide range of his music: orchestral, operatic, vocal and instrumental. Barber showed abilities across the range and he was also a noted concert baritone who sang his own pieces (his songs actually form some two-thirds of his output), as well as works of many other composers. Paul suggested we listen to Barber singing his own Dover Beach on YouTube and it is quite stunning. I recommend it as a performance and as a Barber legacy recording.

All of the recorded extracts were remarkable and enhanced by Paul’s knowledgeable insights into the music and performances. Fortunately, many of the choral extracts—some being songs later adapted for chorus—were performed by Paul’s own group the Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir. Among these were Barber’s famous song Sure On This Shining Night and Under the Willow Tree. In the short two hours, the members of the society gained a deep understanding of the man and his music which certainly demonstrated that Barber does deserve to be remembered for more than his acknowledged masterpiece - his Adagio for Strings.

There were many outstanding pieces played to us but for me Exodos from his ballet Medea, his song Sure On This Shining Night, his Cello Sonata and the finale (Stitico) of his Piano Sonata will remain long in the memory.