Himself
Donald Macleod charts Barber's final years, troubled by alcoholism and creative blocks, and assesses the effect on the composer of one of the great disasters of operatic history.
When Barber got the call from the New York Met asking him to provide the first opera in its new theatre Barber realised it was potentially the defining moment of his career. Sadly it turned out to be one of the great disasters of operatic history. Donald Macleod assesses the effect all of this had on the composer, and charts his final years troubled by alcoholism and creative blocks.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
![]()
Samuel Barber
The Daisies Op.2 no.1
Performers: Leontyne Price (soprano), Samuel Barber (piano)
- RCA09026 61983 2.
- 12.
![]()
Samuel Barber
Night Flight Op.19a
Performers: London Symphony Orchestra, David Measham (conductor)
- UNICORN UKCD2046.
- 4.
![]()
Samuel Barber
Antony and Cleopatra: Scene 4
Performers: Robert Grayson (Caesar), Jeffrey Wells (Antony), Eric Halfvarson (Enobarbus), David Hamilton (Dolabella), Esther Hinds (Cleopatra), Westminster Choir, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Christian Badea (conductor)
- NEW WORLD NW32223242.
- 8 to 10.
![]()
Samuel Barber
O Boundless Boundless Evening Op.45 no.3
Performers: Thomas Hampson (baritone), John Browning (piano)
- DG 4348672.
- 26.
![]()
Samuel Barber
Capricorn Concerto: Last movement
Performers: John Gracie (trumpet), Karen Jones (flute), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Marin Alsop (conductor)
- NAXOS 8.559135.
- 3.
![]()
Samuel Barber
Knoxville: Summer of 1915 op.24
Performers: Sylvia McNair (soprano), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Yoel Levi (conductor)
- TELARC CD80250.
- 2.
Broadcasts
- Fri 30 Apr 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 30 Apr 201022:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 2 Sep 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 2 Sep 201118:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
