Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Ballade

Compose Date

:

1977

Average_duration

:

6:05

Samuel Barber's Ballade, Op. 46, is a solo piano work composed in 1977. It was premiered by pianist John Browning on October 4, 1977, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The Ballade is a single-movement work that is approximately 12 minutes in length. It is characterized by its lyrical and expressive melodies, as well as its virtuosic and technically demanding passages. The piece begins with a slow and melancholic introduction, featuring a simple and haunting melody in the left hand. This melody is then taken up by the right hand, which adds a more complex and ornamented variation. The introduction builds in intensity, leading to a sudden and dramatic shift in mood. The main section of the Ballade is marked by a fast and lively tempo, with a driving rhythm and intricate figurations in both hands. The melody is fragmented and constantly shifting, with sudden bursts of energy and moments of repose. The middle section of the piece is more introspective, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The melody is more sustained and lyrical, with a sense of longing and nostalgia. The final section of the Ballade returns to the fast and lively tempo of the opening, with a renewed sense of energy and excitement. The melody is more fragmented and complex, with virtuosic passages in both hands. The piece ends with a sudden and dramatic flourish, bringing the work to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, the Ballade, Op. 46, is a masterful work that showcases Barber's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the piano. It is a challenging and rewarding piece for pianists, and a testament to Barber's enduring legacy as one of America's greatest composers.

More....