Samuel Barber - In the wilderness

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He, of his gentleness
Thirsting and hungering
Walked in the Wilderness;
Soft words of grace he spoke
Unto lost desert-folk
That listned wondering
He heard the bittern call
From ruined palace-wall
Answered him brotherly;
He held communion
With the she-pelican
Of lonely piety
Basilisk, cockatrice
Flocked to his homilies
With mail of dread device
With monstrous barbed stings
With eager dragon-eyes;
Great bats on leathern wings
And old, blind, broken things
Mean in their miseries
Then ever with him went
Of all his wanderings
Comrade, with ragged coat
Gaunt ribs -- poor innocent --
Bleeding foot, burning throat
The guileless young scapegoat;
For forty nights and days
Followed in Jesus' ways
Sure guard behind him kept
Tears like a lover wept

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Samuel Barber

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Samuel Barber was born on March 9, 1910, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, into a family with a deep love and appreciation for music. His aunt Louise Homer was a renowned opera singer, and his mother was a pianist. This musical upbringing undoubtedly influenced Barber's own interest in music at a young age.

Barber showed great talent and promise as a musician from a young age, and he began studying piano and composition at the age of six. He later attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition with the legendary composer Rosario Scalero. Barber's early compositions showed a remarkable maturity and sophistication, earning him recognition and praise from a young age.

Throughout his career, Barber became known for his ability to write music that was both emotionally powerful and technically brilliant. His compositions for piano and voice were particularly well-regarded, showcasing his gift for melody and harmony. Barber's works were often characterized by their lyrical beauty and emotional depth, drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as literature, poetry, and personal experience.

Barber's career reached new heights in 1938 when he won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his orchestral work "Overture to The School for Scandal." He would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music again in 1963 for his Piano Concerto. In addition to these accolades, Barber's Adagio for Strings became one of his most famous and enduring works, beloved for its haunting beauty and emotional intensity.

One of Barber's most acclaimed works was his opera Vanessa, which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 1958 to critical acclaim. The opera was praised for its lush orchestration, lyrical melodies, and rich characterizations. Barber also wrote several concertos for piano and violin, as well as vocal works such as Knoxville: Summer of 1915, which showcased his skill at setting text to music.

Throughout his career, Barber received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to American music, solidifying his reputation as one of the country's most celebrated composers. He continued to compose and perform music until his death on January 23, 1981, leaving behind a rich and enduring legacy of music that continues to be performed and cherished by audiences around the world.