Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Variations

Compose Date

:

1958

Average_duration

:

7:49

Samuel Barber's "Variations on the Shape-note Hymn Wondrous Love" is a composition for solo piano that was completed in 1957. The piece was premiered by pianist John Browning on January 23, 1958, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The composition consists of a theme and eleven variations, with a coda at the end. The theme is based on the shape-note hymn "Wondrous Love," which is a traditional American folk hymn. The variations explore different aspects of the theme, including its rhythm, harmony, and melody. The first variation is marked "with simplicity and freedom" and features a gentle, flowing melody. The second variation is more complex, with a faster tempo and intricate rhythms. The third variation is marked "with humor" and features a playful, syncopated melody. The fourth variation is marked "with solemnity" and features a slower, more contemplative melody. The fifth variation is marked "with energy" and features a lively, syncopated rhythm. The sixth variation is marked "with tenderness" and features a gentle, lyrical melody. The seventh variation is marked "with brilliance" and features a fast, virtuosic melody. The eighth variation is marked "with simplicity and freedom" and features a return to the gentle, flowing melody of the first variation. The ninth variation is marked "with grandeur" and features a majestic, sweeping melody. The tenth variation is marked "with tranquility" and features a peaceful, meditative melody. The eleventh variation is marked "with exaltation" and features a triumphant, celebratory melody. The coda brings the piece to a close with a return to the theme, played in a simple, straightforward manner. Overall, "Variations on the Shape-note Hymn Wondrous Love" is a complex and varied composition that showcases Barber's skill as a composer. The piece explores a wide range of emotions and moods, from playful and humorous to solemn and contemplative. It is a testament to the enduring power of traditional American folk music and the creative possibilities of classical composition.

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