Abstracts Language, Literature, and Linguistic

"It is a song that I have made": A performer's perspective on ten early songs of Samuel Barber

by Karen Louise Eckenroth

Samuel Barber is one of America's most popular composers of the solo song. His interest in this genre began in 1917, at age seven when he composed his first song, titled "Sometime". This interest was to last a lifetime, with his total song output numbering 106 (48 published and 58 unpublished); comprising over half of his more than two hundred compositions. In 1994 G. Schirmer, Inc. published a collection of ten early songs written by Barber between the years 1925 and 1937. Prior to the availability of these pieces, Barber's Opus 2 – "The Daisies", "With Rue My Heart Is Laden", and "Bessie Bobtail" – were the only published songs reflecting his earliest compositional style. These ten new songs provide insights regarding this early style, and they display musical components, such as quartal and quintal harmonies, elements of church modes, counterpoint, and extensive word-painting, which Barber uses and solidifies in later works. These early songs are a delightful addition to the solo song repertoire. The vocal lines are flowing and effortless, emotions portrayed within the songs are always well balanced, and the accompaniments, in addition to supporting the vocal line, serve to set the tone of each piece. The variety of technical demands varies and many of the songs are accessible to young singers. Most importantly, they offer a perception into Barber's growth as a composer making them an invaluable resource to anyone interested in the development of the American Art Song.