Barber: The Songs

Thomas Hampson (Performer), Samuel Barber (Composer), John Browning (Performer), Cheryl Studer (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Thomas Hampson, John Browning, Cheryl Studer
• Composer: Samuel Barber
• Audio CD (October 12, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B0000C24I2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,192 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth any price., May 5, 2007

By 

Benjamin L. Filippone (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barber: The Songs (Audio CD)

This double CD set is an amazing window into the genius of Samuel Barber and his very important contribution to art song. These works are presented here in chronological order, and tell the full story of Barber's phenomenal ability to change almost every aspect of his musical language to fit the poetry he sets. It is not particularly well-known that Barber was an excellent baritone and much of his art songs were intended for himself to perform. As a highly trained vocalist, he had a very special sensitivity, insight, and fondness for vocal music and this is quite evident in all music he wrote for the human voice.

Both Thomas Hampson and Cheryl Studer capitalize upon the deceptive demands of much of this music with great flair. The recording quality is beautiful with just the right intimate touch.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure, November 13, 2007

By 

S. Jones (Schenectady) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barber: The Songs (Audio CD)

This album is one of my favorites. The music is beautiful and powerfully expressive, especially at the hands of these three artists. Studer surpasses even Leontyne Price's two wonderful versions of the Hermit Songs (even though they were accompanied by the composer), both in interpretation and emotion (the last song has to be heard to be believed), and Hampson with the Emerson Quartet equal if not surpass Fischer-Dieskau and the Juilliard. Browning knows Barber's piano better than Barber himself. Anyone who loves song and artistry should have this set.