Concerto, Op.14 for violin and piano (parts) by Samuel Barber
2014 corrected and revised edition. Edited by David Flachs. Published by Schirmer
Samuel Barber (1910-81) was an American composer known for his lyrical neoromantic music. Though he used 20th century techniques, he was strongly informed by music of the past, included by Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven, and composers of the Baroque and Renaissance eras. He wrote in all classical genres and collaborated on operas with his colleague and life partner, Gian Carlo Menotti.
Barber's Violin Concerto, Op.14 (1939) is today one of his most acclaimed works, yet it had a troubled background. After reviewing the first two movements, the dedicatee Iso Briselli requested a virtuosic finale. Barber responded with one of the most challenging and spectacular finales of the concerto repertory, which was outright rejected by Briselli as unmusical and too difficult. Barber was unyielding, confident in what he had written, and Briselli dropped the concerto. Barber was vindicated as the work quickly entered the standard repertory, and today, thanks to its pyrotechnics, dramatic lyricism, and stunning, bracing writing, it stands as one of the towering masterpieces of the 20th century concerto literature. This new 2014 corrected and revised edition incorporates newly discovered details from Barber's personal conducting copy, as well as extensive historical background. Master level, Grade 6.
