Program Notes | December 3, 2011 | Holiday Concert
Notes researched & written by Joan Olsson
SAMUEL BARBER 1910 – 1981
Chorale Prelude (1969) on Silent Night
The orchestral work, Die Natoli, was commissioned in 1954 by the Serge Kousevitsky Foundation, and took Barber six years for the work to come to fruition. Barber often collaborated with Gian Carlo Menotti who he lived with for 40 years.
The piece is comprised of themes stemming from Christmas carols, including his personal favorite, Silent Night. Barber’s music represents a coming-together of 20th century tonal harmonies with 19th century structural form.