1910–1981 · American

Barber, Samuel

The composer of the Adagio for Strings — arguably the most recognised piece of 20th-century music — and a superb Violin Concerto and Piano Sonata.

Orchestral Work (6)

Op.11
Adagio for StringsB minor1936
Op.12
Essay No. 1 for Orchestra1937
Op.17
Essay No. 2 for Orchestra1942
Op.45
Third Essay for Orchestra1978
Op.23
Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance1946–55
Op.4
Music for a Scene from Shelley1933

Violin Concerto (1)

Op.14
Violin Concerto1939

Cello Concerto (1)

Op.22
Cello ConcertoA minor1945

Piano Concerto (1)

Op.38
Piano Concerto1962

Symphony (2)

Op.9
Symphony No. 1C major1936
Op.19
Symphony No. 21944

Overture (2)

Op.3
The School for Scandal (overture)D major1931
Op.5
The School for Scandal (overture)

Vocal Work (2)

Op.26
Knoxville: Summer of 19151947
Op.2
Dover Beach1931

String Quartet (2)

Op.13
String Quartet in B minorB minor1936
Op.15
String Quartet in B minor (early)

Sonata (2)

ViolinSon
Violin Sonata in C major (early, unpublished)C major1928
Op.6
Cello Sonata in C minor1932

Piano Piece (3)

Op.20
Excursions (4 piano pieces)1942–44
Op.33
Nocturne (Homage to John Field)
Op.46
Ballade for Piano

Piano Sonata (1)

Op.28
Piano Sonata in E-flat minorE-flat minor1949

Song Cycle (1)

Op.39
Hermit Songs1952–53

Opera (2)

Op.41
Antony and Cleopatra (opera)1966
Op.32
Vanessa (opera)1957

Chamber Work (1)

Op.1
Serenade for String Quartet1928

Orchestral Suite (1)

Souvenirs
Souvenirs (ballet suite)1952

Choral Work (1)

Op.30
Prayers of Kierkegaard1954

Concerto Work (1)

Op.36
Toccata Festiva1960

Wind Quintet (1)

Op.27
Summer Music for Wind Quintet1955

Tone Poem (1)

Op.7
Music for a Scene from Shelley

Sacred & Choral (3)

Op.8
Two Choruses: The Virgin Martyrs / Let Down the Bars, O Death
Op.34
Prayers of Kierkegaard (early version)
AgnesDei
Agnus Dei (choral arrangement of Adagio for Strings)

Song (7)

Op.10
Three Songs (Rain Has Fallen; Sleep Now; I Hear an Army)
Op.16
Four Songs (A Nun Takes the Veil; The Secrets of the Old; Sure on This Shining Night; Nocturne)
Op.18
Two Songs
Op.24
Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (early version)
Op.25
Nuvoletta
Op.29
Hermit Songs
Op.40
Despite and Still (songs)

Concerto (2)

Op.21
Capricorn Concerto
Op.48
Canzonetta for Oboe and String Orchestra

Suite (1)

Op.35
Souvenirs (ballet suite, original)

Orchestral (3)

Op.43
Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Op.47
Third Essay for Orchestra (alternate listing)
CommandoMarch
Commando March