Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Samuel Barber's compositions with this meticulously curated collection of historical recordings spanning from 1935 to 1960. This 8-CD box set offers an unparalleled journey through the masterful works of one of America's most celebrated 20th-century composers. Featuring a rich array of orchestral pieces, operas, and vocal performances, this album showcases Barber's distinctive style, which seamlessly blends romantic sensibilities with lyrical depth and harmonic complexity.
Highlights include the iconic "Adagio for Strings, Op. 11," recorded live by the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Arturo Toscanini, and the operatic masterpiece "Vanessa, Op. 32," featuring renowned vocalists such as Eleanor Steber, Rosalind Elias, Nicolai Gedda, and Giorgio Tozzi. The collection also includes Barber's "Symphony No. 1, Op. 9," presented in both its original and revised versions, as well as the evocative "Medea Suite, Op. 23," and the lesser-known but equally captivating "First Essay for Orchestra, Op. 12."
This comprehensive set not only features Barber's compositions but also includes interviews with the composer himself, providing invaluable insights into his creative process and artistic vision. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Barber's work, this collection offers a profound and enriching experience, showcasing the enduring brilliance of Samuel Barber's musical legacy.
2011 West Hill Radio Archives2011 West Hill Radio Archives
Tracks
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Potage creme aux perles (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: No, I cannot understand (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Must the winter come so soon? (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Listen! … they are here (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Do not utter a word, Anatol (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Yes, I believe I shall love you (Anatol)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act I: Who are you? (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: And then? (Baroness)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: No, you are not as good a skater… (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Under the willow tree (Doctor)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Erika, I am so happy (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Our arms entwinedSamuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Did you hear her? (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Outside this house the world has changed (Anatol)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act II: Orchestral Interlude - HymnSamuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: The Count and Countess d'Albany (Baroness)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: I should never have been a doctor (Doctor)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Here you are! (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: At last I've found you (Anatol)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Nothing to worry about (Doctor)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Why did no one warn me? (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Why must the greatest sorrows (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III Scene 1: There, look! (Doctor)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Anatol, tell me the truth! (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act IV: Take me awaySamuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Grandmother! - Yes, Erika (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: IntermezzoSamuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: By the time we arrive (Anatol)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: For every love there is a last farewell (Doctor)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: And you, my friend (Vanessa)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act IV: Quintet: To leave, to breakSamuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Vanessa, Op. 32: Act III: Goodbye, be happy, Aunt Vanessa (Erika)Samuel Barber, Eleanor Steber, Nicolai Gedda, Rosalind Elias, Regina Resnik, Giorgio Tozzi, George Cehanovsky, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos
Medea Suite, Op. 23: I. ParodosSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea Suite, Op. 23: II. Choros: Medea and Jason - III. The Young Princess, JasonSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea Suite, Op. 23: IV. ChorosSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea Suite, Op. 23: V. MedeaSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea Suite, Op. 23: VI. Kantikos AgoniasSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea Suite, Op. 23: VII. ExodosSamuel Barber, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London
Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23aSamuel Barber, New York Philharmonic, Dimitri Mitropoulos
The School for Scandal, Op. 5Samuel Barber, Los Angeles Janssen Symphony Orchestra, Werner Janssen
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9: I. Allegro ma non troppoSamuel Barber, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9: II. Allegro moltoSamuel Barber, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9: III. Andante tranquilloSamuel Barber, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9: IV. Con motoSamuel Barber, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 (revised version): I. Allegro ma non troppoSamuel Barber, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 (revised version): II. Allegro moltoSamuel Barber, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 (revised version): III. Andante tranquilloSamuel Barber, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter
Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 (revised version): IV. Con motoSamuel Barber, New York Philharmonic, Bruno Walter
Samuel Barber, one of the most celebrated American composers of the 20th century, is renowned for his lyrical and emotionally expressive music that bridges the gap between the Romantic era and modernism. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Barber showed prodigious musical talent from a young age, studying composition with Rosario Scalero at the Curtis Institute and later with his uncle, composer Sidney Homer. His works, such as the iconic "Adagio for Strings" and the opera "Vanessa," are staples of the classical repertoire, showcasing his mastery of traditional harmonic language and formal structure. Barber's compositions often evoke deep emotions, with a rich harmonic palette and rhythmic complexity that captivates audiences. Despite the experimental trends of his time, Barber remained rooted in the Romantic tradition, earning him the title of the "last great American Romantic." His collaborations with Gian Carlo Menotti and his profound influence on classical music solidify his legacy as a composer of unparalleled expressiveness and lyricism.
Vinylscout
Samuel Barber
