Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Aria: Concert Aria

Compose Date

:

1947 - 1950

Average_duration

:

15:31

Samuel Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24" is a musical composition that was premiered on April 9, 1948, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The piece is a setting of a prose poem by James Agee, which describes a summer evening in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1915. The work is scored for soprano soloist and orchestra and is divided into three movements. The first movement, marked "With nostalgia," begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the strings, which is soon joined by the solo soprano. The music is lyrical and evocative, capturing the peacefulness and beauty of the summer evening. The soprano sings Agee's words, which describe the sights and sounds of the night, including the sound of a train whistle in the distance and the smell of honeysuckle in the air. The second movement, marked "Very broadly," is more dramatic and intense than the first. The music is characterized by sweeping melodies and lush harmonies, which convey a sense of longing and yearning. The soprano sings of the people and places of Knoxville, including the "little streets that go down to the river" and the "great elms that stand by the stream." The final movement, marked "Joyeux," is a lively and exuberant celebration of life. The music is upbeat and energetic, with a sense of joy and optimism. The soprano sings of the happiness and contentment of the people of Knoxville, who are "all so happy and all so gay." The movement ends with a triumphant flourish, as the orchestra and soprano come together in a final burst of energy and enthusiasm. Overall, "Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24" is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the essence of a summer evening in the American South. Barber's music is lush and lyrical, with a sense of nostalgia and longing that is perfectly suited to Agee's poetic text. The piece is a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and transport listeners to another time and place.

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