Samuel Barber

NAME Samuel Barber

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Samuel Barber was a renowned American composer known for his classical compositions, including the iconic "Adagio for Strings" and the opera Vanessa, which won him a Pulitzer Prize.

BIRTH Samuel Barber was born on March 9, 1910, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Barber came from a well-to-do family. His father, Roy, was a prominent physician and his mother, Marguerite, was a pianist of English-Scottish-Irish descent. Samuel's aunt, Louise Homer, was a distinguished opera singer, and his uncle, Sidney Homer, was a composer. This background provided him with financial security and access to a rich musical environment.

CHILDHOOD A musical prodigy, Barber began piano lessons at the age of six and started composing at a young age. He composed his first work, Sadness, a 23-measure solo piano piece in C minor. when he was seven and at the age of 10 he wrote a short opera entitled The Rose. By the ripe old age of 12, he was already bringing home the bacon (well, a crisp $100 a month) as the church organist, belting out tunes at Westminster Church in West Chester.

EDUCATION At 14, Barber entered the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition, piano, voice, and conducting. He was mentored there by composer Rosario Scalero.

CAREER RECORD  His resume reads:

Achieved international success with works like the overture to The School for Scandal (1933) and "Adagio for Strings" (1936).

Won two Pulitzer Prizes for Music: for the opera Vanessa (1956-57) and the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1962).

Composed a wide range of works including operas, orchestral pieces, chamber music, songs, and piano pieces.

APPEARANCE Descriptions of Barber's appearance vary, but he was generally described as of medium height and build, with dark hair.

Samuel Barber, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1944

FASHION He was known for his classic and elegant style, often seen in suits or formal attire.

CHARACTER Barber was known to be shy, introspective, meticulous, and deeply passionate about his music. He struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout his life.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While not known for being boisterous, Barber's friends and colleagues described him as having a dry wit. and appreciated subtle humor.

RELATIONSHIPS Barber had a lifelong personal and professional partnership with Gian Carlo Menotti, a composer and librettist. They were partners for many years and collaborated on various projects.

MONEY AND FAME Barber enjoyed financial security throughout his career due to his success and family background. He wasn't particularly interested in the trappings of fame, preferring to focus on his music.

FOOD AND DRINK Barber enjoyed fine dining and appreciated good wine.

MUSIC AND ARTS Music was Barber's life. He was deeply influenced by European composers like Mahler and Stravinsky, but developed his own unique voice within a romantic tradition.

Barber had a brief career as a professional baritone in the 1930s, performing on the NBC Music Guild concert series and earning a weekly contract on NBC radio. 

Samuel Barber was a big cheese in the world of modern classical music. Sure, his melodies were lush and sweeping, straight out of the Romantic playbook, but his rhythms and harmonies were as 20th century as a tailfin on a Cadillac.

Barber's real claim to fame is his "Adagio for Strings." This piece premiered with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini himself, on November 5, 1938. It was an instant smash, becoming his signature tune. Part of its enduring popularity? Thanks to Hollywood, it showed up in not one, but two iconic films: Platoon and The Elephant Man. 

Barber wasn't just about stirring strings, though. He dabbled in ballet too, whipping up Medea in 1946 for the legendary American dancer Martha Graham.

Then came disaster. In 1966, his opera Antony and Cleopatra got the official nod to open the brand new Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Everything should have been sunshine and roses, right? Wrong. The critics mauled the production, mostly taking aim at the over-the-top staging by Franco Zeffirelli, not the music itself. But for Barber, it was a devastating blow. He retreated from the world, battling depression and a pesky alcohol problem for years after that brutal rejection.

LITERATURE Barber was inspired by literary works and set texts by James Agee and others to music.

NATURE Barber enjoyed spending time outdoors, particularly in natural landscapes, which occasionally influenced his music.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Outside of music, Barber enjoyed reading, gardening, and hiking.

SCIENCE AND MATHS While not professionally involved in science or math, Barber had a keen interest in intellectual pursuits beyond music.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Barber was not overtly religious but had a philosophical outlook, often reflected in the emotional depth of his compositions.

SCANDAL There were no major scandals associated with Samuel Barber.

MILITARY RECORD In 1942, after the US entered World War II, Barber joined the Army Air Corps where he remained in service through 1945. His military service did not involve combat.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Barber struggled with depression throughout his life. He took the rejection of his Antony and Cleopatra opera hard. Real hard. Depression became his unwelcome companion, and alcohol became his way of trying to forget and his productivity was reduced. He started bouncing between his New York digs and a little chalet tucked away in Santa Cristina, Italy. Long stretches of solitude became his new normal. 

HOMES Barber was born and raised in West Chester, a borough and the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania. 

Childhood home of Samuel Barber in West Chester, Pennsylvani

Barber primarily resided in New York City throughout his career. This urban environment offered him the proximity to concert halls, publishers, and the artistic community he thrived in. However, he also sought escape and inspiration in other locations.  He spent time on the Italian island of Capri, a place that fueled his creativity and offered respite from the demands of city life.

TRAVEL Europe played a significant role in Barber's artistic development. He traveled there for performances of his works and to immerse himself in the rich musical traditions of the continent. These journeys undoubtedly exposed him to new musical ideas and influences that found their way into his compositions.

DEATH Samuel Barber passed away of cancer aged 70 on January 23, 1981, in New York City.  He was buried in Oaklands Cemetery in his hometown of West Chester.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA While there aren't any major motion picture portrayals of Barber, his legacy lives on in various media formats. Documentaries explore his life and creative process, offering insights into the man behind the music.  Of course, the most significant appearances Barber makes are in recordings of his compositions. Through these, listeners can connect directly with his musical genius and experience the enduring emotional power of his work.

ACHIEVEMENTS Samuel Barber was one of the most celebrated composers of the mid-20th century.

Two Pulitzer Prizes for Music: This prestigious award is a testament to the exceptional quality and innovation present in Barber's compositions. Winning it twice underscores the profound impact his work had on the American musical landscape.

Creation of Iconic and Enduring Compositions: The Adagio for Strings stands as a masterpiece that transcends generations and cultures. Beyond this iconic work, Barber's entire body of compositions, including operas, orchestral pieces, chamber music, songs, and piano pieces, continues to be performed and cherished by audiences worldwide.

Status as a Major Figure in 20th-Century American Music: Samuel Barber's influence on American music is undeniable. His ability to bridge the gap between European traditions and a distinctly American voice helped shape the course of American composition in the 20th century.