Barber: Symphony No. 2, Cello Concerto, Medea

Samuel Barber (Composer, Conductor), Samuel Barber (Conductor, Performer), New Symphony Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Zara Nelsova (Artist), New Symphony Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Samuel Barber
• Orchestra: New Symphony Orchestra of London
• Conductor: Samuel Barber, Samuel Barber
• Composer: Samuel Barber
• Audio CD (November 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Pearl
• ASIN: B00005Q637
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,704 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 2, Op. 19: Allegro ma non troppo

2. Symphony No. 2, Op. 19: Andante, un poco mosso

3. Symphony No. 2, Op. 19: Presto, senza battuta-Allegro risoluto-Allegro molto

4. Concerto For Violoncello & Orchestra, Op. 22: Allegro moderato

5. Concerto For Violoncello & Orchestra, Op. 22: Andante sostenuto

6. Concerto For Violoncello & Orchestra, Op. 22: Molto allegro ed appassionato

7. Medea, Op. 23: Parados

8. Medea, Op. 23: Choros, Medea, Jason

9. Medea, Op. 23: The young Princess, Jason

10. Medea, Op. 23: Choros

11. Medea, Op. 23: Medea

12. Medea, Op. 23: Kantika Agonias

13. Medea, Op. 23: Exodos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Music of S. Barber-Symph. #2, Cello Concerto, Medea, January 29, 2012

By 

Peter F. Lesses "P.F.Lesses" (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barber: Symphony No. 2, Cello Concerto, Medea (Audio CD)

According to the liner notes S. Barber studied conducting just to record these three pieces. I found the Symphony #2 dull. The cello concerto is played adeptly by Zara Nelsova. Medea's Dances of Death and Vengeance have always been an old favorite of mine. The conducting is very good, but the sound level in the concerto and symphony is not that clear.

4.0 out of 5 stars Barber's only commercial recordings as a conductor, December 29, 2011

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Edison McIntyre (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barber: Symphony No. 2, Cello Concerto, Medea (Audio CD)

In 1950, Samuel Barber went to London and conducted musicians from some of the best British orchestras in these three works, his only commercial recordings as a conductor of his music. He didn't enjoy the experience, apparently, and there was no record label to coax him back into the recording studio for a run at the "complete works" as CBS did with Stravinsky and Copland. The performances here aren't especially good or bad, and all have been surpassed by much more recent recordings by the likes of conductors Andrew Schenk, Neeme Jarvi, Leonard Slatkin, and especially Marin Alsop in "Medea" and the Second Symphony, as well as cellists Steven Isserlis, Paul Tobias, and Yo-Yo Ma as soloists in the Cello Concerto (which was written for Nelsova, the soloist here).

These monoaural recordings didn't stay in the catalog for long once stereo LPs were introduced c.1958 (a rechanneled, "fake stereo" LP of the "Medea" and Second Symphony performances was released on the Everest label at some point in the 1960s). Those seeking an introduction to these Barber works are best advised to go to the more modern recordings, especially the well-recorded and performed Alsop performances (with another British ensemble, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) on Naxos. Barber buffs, however, will want to grab this CD while they still can find it, for Barber's own take on the music. The 1950-vintage sound and digital transfers are quite serviceable.