1. SAMUEL BARBER March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981 Benjamin Illu MUSIC 1010-013 © G. Schirmer Archives

2. BIOGRAPHY  Born into a middle class Irish-American family, and flourished with musical singers and a composer in his family.  Even at a young age Samuel had musical talent, ability and interest; started piano at age 6.  Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia

3. BIO. CONTINUED  In his twenties is when his music started to be noted and performed by famous artist; Vladimir Horowitz, Francis Poulenc.  Severed in WWII in the Army Air Corps after which, he wrote his 2nd symphony.  Kept writing music until dying at age 70; in his birth place of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

4. MUSIC  Wrote Melodist music, many, if not all of his musical pieces contained a memorable theme.  He wrote with Romantic structure/virtue, but created complex and dissonant melodies.  Composed Orchestral, Opera, Piano and Choral music.  Most renowned piece, Adagio for Strings Op.11.

5. COMPOSER  Composed music identical to J.S. Bach and Johannes Brahms; with the indication of creating emotional music.  One of the few composer of the 20 th century to make his living through composition.  As for my own music, I've never written a book about it. I'm not pedagogical... When I write an abstract piano sonata or a concerto, I write what I feel. I'm not a self-conscious composer. I think that what's been holding composers back a great deal is that they feel they must have a new style every year. This, in my case, would be hopeless. In fact, it is said that I have no style at all but that doesn't matter. I just go on doing, as they say, my thing. I believe this takes a certain courage.—Barber, New York Times (October 3, 1971)

6. ADAGIO FOR STRINGS  String Quartet Op.11, 2 nd Movement.  Slow, Sonata-Allegro form.  Starts with a soft violin, then low strings slowly enter as the violins play the melody.  A cyclic piece, a notable recurrence of the theme.  Absolute music, creates emotions without any other associations.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KylMqxLzNGo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KylMqxLzNGo

7. VIOLIN CONCERTO OP.14  1 st movement, Allegro form.  Violin is the solo instrument, accompanied by a full orchestra.  Rich and colorful Violin solo parts; with a little of Cadenza,  Memorable/elegant theme.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oXKuXdmzcw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oXKuXdmzcw

8. REFERENCES  Heyman, Barbra. Samuel Barber: The Composer and His Music. New York, New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 1992. Print.  Schwartz, Steve. "Samuel Barber." Classical Net. Classical Net. Web. 1 Dec 2012..  Wittke, Paul. "Samuel Barber: An Improvisatory Portrait.." Samuel Barber: An Improvisatory Portrait.. n. page. Web. 20 Nov. 2012..