Barber, Samuel (1910-1981), was an American composer. Barber composed in a basically Romantic style throughout his 50 years of productivity, despite the changing musical fashions that occurred in American music during this period (see Romanticism ). Barber won the 1958 Pulitzer Prize for music for his opera Vanessa. The American composer Gian Carlo Menotti wrote the libretto (words). Barber also won the 1963 Pulitzer Prize for his Piano Concerto (1962). His other popular instrumental works include the overture to The School for Scandal (1933); Concerto for violin (1939); Capricorn Concerto (1942) for flute, oboe, trumpet, and strings; Second Essay for Orchestra (1942); the ballet Medea (1946); Concerto for cello (1945); and Piano Sonata (1949). His major works for voice and orchestra include Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (1947) and Prayers for Kierkegaard (1954).
Barber was born on March 9, 1910, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He first gained national attention in 1938 when Arturo Toscanini conducted his First Essay for Orchestra and Adagio for Strings, which became his most popular work. Barber died on Jan. 23, 1981.
