Samuel Barber (1910-1981) created a distinctly American lyricism. Although his violin concerto is one of his most popular works, the composer himself didn't care for it because he felt it didn't fit together as one work. Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, who performs the piece in her release American Masters, explains: "This is because he wrote the work as a commision for a young violinist, and the violinist and his sponsor complained it was too easy," with not enough virtuoso material. "Sam, no stranger to revenge, wrote a fiery last movement that the young artist could not play." Hear the entirety of this document to American lyricism in a new recording from Meyers on Monday's program.
Of Note for Monday, June 29, 2015: Samuel Barber's Distinctly American Lyricism
