Canon
Where to start with Barber
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
OrchestralViolin Concerto, op. 14
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VocalKnoxville: Summer of 1915, for high voice and orchestra, op. 24
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KeyboardPiano Sonata in E flat minor, op. 26
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ChamberString Quartet in B major, op. 11
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StageA Hand of Bridge, op. 35
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OrchestralCello Concerto, in A minor, op. 22
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OrchestralPiano Concerto, op. 38
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OrchestralSymphony no. 1, op. 9
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OrchestralThe School for Scandal: Overture Op.5
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Keyboard2 Interludes
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Vocal2 Songs for Chorus, op. 42
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Vocal2 Songs for Chorus, op. 8
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Vocal2 Songs, op. 18
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Vocal3 Songs, op. 10
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Vocal3 Songs, op. 2
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Barber's catalogueMost Popular
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Adagio for Strings
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Violin Concerto
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Knoxville: Summer of 1915soprano + orchestra — text by James Agee
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Piano Sonata in E-flat minor
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Cello Concerto
Most Acclaimed
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Hermit Songsvoice + piano — texts by Irish monks from the 8th-13th centuries
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String Quartet Op. 11
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Symphony No. 1
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Prayers of Kierkegaard
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Dover Beachbaritone + string quartet — Matthew Arnold poem
Most Weird
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Piano Sonata Op. 26the fugal finale is shockingly violent for Barber
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Vanessaopera — gothic, obsessive — the only American opera Toscanini wanted to conduct
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Antony and Cleopatraopera — spectacularly failed Met opening night 1966
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Fadograph of a Yestern Sceneorchestra — Joyce text as inspiration
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Mutations from Bachbrass + timpani — Bach transformed into something eerie
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 65
- Orchestral
- ● Violin Concerto, op. 14
- Cello Concerto, in A minor, op. 22
- Piano Concerto, op. 38
- Symphony no. 1, op. 9
- The School for Scandal: Overture Op.5
- Capricorn Concerto, for flute, oboe, trumpet and strings, op. 21
- Commando March, for concert band
- Die Natali: Chorale Preludes for Christmas, op. 37
- Essay no. 1 for Orchestra, op. 12
- Essay no. 2 for Orchestra, op. 17
- Essay no. 3 for Orchestra, op. 47
- Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, op. 23a
- Medea: Cave of the Heart, op. 23
- Music for a Scene from Shelley, op. 7
- Souvenirs: Suite from the Ballet, op. 28
- Symphony no. 2, op. 19
- Toccata Festiva, for organ and orchestra, op. 36
- Vocal
- Knoxville: Summer of 1915, for high voice and orchestra, op. 24
- 2 Songs for Chorus, op. 42
- 2 Songs for Chorus, op. 8
- 2 Songs, op. 18
- 3 Songs, op. 10
- 3 Songs, op. 2
- 3 Songs, op. 45
- 4 Songs, op. 13
- A Slumber Song of the Madonna, for voice and organ
- A Stopwatch and an Ordinance Map, for male chorus and 3 timpani, op. 15
- Andromache's Farewell, for soprano and orchestra, op. 39
- Chorale for Ascension Day, for chorus, brass, timpani, and organ
- Despite and Stil, op. 41 — Song cycle
- Dover Beach, for baritone and string quartet, op. 3
- God's Grandeur, for a cappella chorus
- Hermit Songs, op. 29
- In the Dark Pinewood
- Love at the Door
- Love's Caution
- Mélodies passagères, op. 27
- Night Wanderers
- Nuvoletta, op. 25
- Of That So Sweet Imprisonment
- Reincarnations, for a cappella chorus, op. 16
- Serenades
- Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
- Strings in the Earth and Air
- The Beggar's Song
- The Lovers, for baritone, chorus and orchestra, op. 43
- There's Nae Lark
- Keyboard
- Piano Sonata in E flat minor, op. 26
- 2 Interludes
- 4 Excursions, op. 20
- Ballade, op. 46
- Chorale Preludes
- Nocturne, op. 33, "Hommage to John Field"
- Prelude and Fugue in B minor, for organ
- Souvenirs: Suite for Piano 4-hands, op. 28
- Variations on the Shape-note Hymn 'Wondrous Love', for organ
- Chamber
- String Quartet in B major, op. 11
- Canzonetta for Oboe and Piano, op. posth.48
- Cello Sonata, op. 6
- Mutations from Bach, for brass ensemble and timpani
- Serenade for String Quartet, op. 1
- Summer Music, for wind quintet, op. 31
- Stage
- A Hand of Bridge, op. 35
- Antony and Cleopatra, op. 40 — Opera
- Vanessa, op. 32 — Opera