Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1936

Average_duration

:

1:56

"Let Down the Bars, O Death!, Op.8/2" is a choral work composed by Samuel Barber in 1936. The piece was premiered on May 9, 1936, by the Curtis Institute of Music Chorus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The work is a setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson, which explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem speaks of the speaker's desire to be released from the physical body and to be reunited with loved ones who have passed away. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Slow and solemn," and features a mournful melody sung by the choir. The second movement is marked "With motion," and is more upbeat and lively, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. The final movement is marked "Slow and solemn," and returns to the mournful melody of the first movement, bringing the piece to a somber and reflective close. Barber's setting of Dickinson's poem is characterized by its rich harmonies and expressive melodies. The piece is written for a four-part choir, with each voice part given its own distinct melodic line. The harmonies are often dissonant, creating a sense of tension and unease that reflects the poem's themes of death and loss. Overall, "Let Down the Bars, O Death!, Op.8/2" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Barber's skill as a composer. Its haunting melodies and complex harmonies make it a challenging but rewarding piece for choirs to perform.

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