Samuel Barber

Sonata for Piano Op.26

Samuel Barber's Sonata For Piano was commissioned by The League of Composers, a society aimed at promoting new American works, for its twenty-fifth anniversary and was first performed by renownedpianist Vladimir Horowitz. The sonata in four movements (I. Allegro energico, II. Allegro vivace e leggero, III. Adagio mesto, IV. Fuga: Allegro con spirit) was received with overwhelmingcritical acclaim and has remained a popular concert staple ever since. Though extremely difficult to execute, the sonata is much more than a virtuosic showpiece. Barber integrated many 20th century musical ideas intothesonata, including extended chromaticism and tone rows. Performance time ca. 20 minutes.

Samuel Barber was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music and is one of the most celebratedcomposers of the 20th century.