Active throughout his long lifetime, Samuel Barber was one of a group of American composers whose musical ideals seemed to focus on the aesthetics of the Romantic era rather than seeking to define a uniquely American style in the manner of Copland, Gershwin, or even Bernstein. His penchant for Romanticism, lush orchestration, and soaring melody secured a position of respect and admiration throughout his lifetime and into the present. This 2009 Sony reissue presents two of Barber's three main concertos along with three of ...
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Active throughout his long lifetime, Samuel Barber was one of a group of American composers whose musical ideals seemed to focus on the aesthetics of the Romantic era rather than seeking to define a uniquely American style in the manner of Copland, Gershwin, or even Bernstein. His penchant for Romanticism, lush orchestration, and soaring melody secured a position of respect and admiration throughout his lifetime and into the present. This 2009 Sony reissue presents two of Barber's three main concertos along with three of the shorter orchestral works that catapulted his career. The disc opens with a 1964 recording of the Violin Concerto performed by Isaac Stern with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. This particular performance, though essentially solid, is one of more interest to historical recording fans than first-time listeners. Stern's playing is just not as lush, connected, or effortless as it needs to be. The Presto finale is taken at a rather leisurely, unexciting tempo. Hilary...
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