March 9, 1910:
Samuel Osmond Barber II is born at 35 High Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, the first of two children born to Roy Barber, a physician, and Marguerite McLeod Beatty, daughter of a minister.
June 23, 1919:
Two compositions for piano by Samuel Barber (9) are performed for the first time, at 105 West Gay Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, in a recital by students of William Hatton Green: At Twighlight, and Lullaby.
April 7, 1920:
In a recital of the piano students of William Hatton Green in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Samuel Barber (10) performs two of his own compositions: At Twilight and Lullaby.
March 15, 1923:
Nursery Songs, a cycle of seven songs for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (13), to words of Mother Goose, is performed for the first time, in the First Presbyterian Church, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, the composer accompanying his sister. Barber also premieres his Gypsy Dance for piano from his unperformed opera, The Rose Tree.
March 24, 1923:
Why Not?, a song for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (13) to words of Parsons, is performed for the first time, in the First Presbyterian Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Also performed are instrumental selections from his unfinished opera The Rose Tree.
April 29, 1924:
Fantasie for two pianos by Samuel Barber (14) is performed for the first time, at the New Century Club, West Chester, Pennsylvania by the composer and his mother.
October 1, 1924:
The Curtis Institute of Music opens in Philadelphia, founded by Mary Louis Curtis Bok and named after her father. The second person through the door is Samuel Barber (14).
April 25, 1926:
Several songs for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (16) are performed for the first time, in front of about a hundred guests at the composer’s home at 107 South Church Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the composer at the piano: My Fairyland (Kerlin), Two Poems of the Wind (Macleod (pseud. of Sharp)), October Mountain Weather (Barber), A Slumber Song of the Madonna (Noyes), Dee Two Fella Joe (anonymous), La Nuit (Meurath), Music When Soft Voices Die (Shelley), Two Songs of Youth (Binyon), Fantasy in Purple (Hughes), Au clair de la lune (anonymous), Watchers (Cornwell), Man (Wolfe), Thy Love (Browning), and Three Songs: The words from Old England.
June 4, 1927:
Two songs by Samuel Barber (17) are performed for the first time, at the George Morris Philips Memorial Chapel in West Chester, Pennsylvania: Summer is Coming for two voices and piano to words of Tennyson, and Only of Thee and Me for solo voice and piano to words of Untermeyer.
August 14, 1927:
An Evening Falls, a song for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (17) to words of Stephens, is performed for the first time, in Wilson’s Cottage, Rogers Rock, Lake George, New York. The composer is vocal soloist.
December 10, 1928:
Two works by Samuel Barber (18) are performed for the first time, in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia: Prelude and Fugue for organ and the Violin Sonata, the latter by the composer at the piano.
May 11, 1929:
Frank Fackenthal informs Samuel Barber (19) in a letter that he has been awarded the Joseph A. Bearns Prize of Columbia University for his Violin Sonata.
May 5, 1930:
Serenade for string quartet op.1 by Samuel Barber (20) is performed for the first time, in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. On the same program is the premiere of Variations on a Theme of Schumann for piano by fellow student Gian Carlo Menotti (18).
April 4, 1931:
The first and fourth movements of Suite for Carillon by Samuel Barber (21) are performed for the first time, in Lake Wales, Florida, along with the premiere of Improvisation for carillon by Gian Carlo Menotti (19).
May 12, 1932:
Two works by Samuel Barber (22) are performed for the first time, in a private recital in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia: Two Interludes op.4 for piano performed by the composer, and Dover Beach op.3 for solo voice and string quartet to words of Arnold. Also premiered is Variations and Fugue for string quartet of Gian Carlo Menotti (20). See 5 March 1933.
March 5, 1933:
Two works by Samuel Barber (22) are performed publicly for the first time, in the French Institute, New York: the Cello Sonata op.6, the composer at the piano, and Dover Beach op.3, for solo voice and string quartet to words of Arnold. See 12 May 1932.
April 12, 1933:
Samuel Barber (23) is informed that he has won the Joseph A. Bearns prize for a second time. This time is for the Overture to the School for Scandal.
August 30, 1933:
Samuel Barber’s (23) overture The School for Scandal op.5 is performed for the first time, in Robin Hood Dell, Philadelphia.
January 4, 1934:
Pastorale and Dance for strings and piano by Gian Carlo Menotti (22) is performed for the first time, privately in Vienna conducted by Samuel Barber (23).
August 26, 1934:
On approximately this date, Bessie Bobtail op.2/3, a song for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (24) to words of Stephens, is performed for the first time, in Camden, Maine, entirely by the composer.
October 23, 1934:
There’s Nae Lark, a song for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (24) to words of Sinburne, is performed for the first time, in the New Century Club, West Chester, Pennsylvania, the composer as vocal soloist.
January 24, 1935:
Incidental music to Kennedy’s play One Day of Spring by Samuel Barber (24) is performed for the first time, in Annie Russell Theatre, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.
February 4, 1935:
Samuel Barber (24) appears as vocal soloist over the NBC Radio Network. This and another appearance on 26 March will gain him a contract for a weekly series of song broadcasts. See 24 April 1935.
March 24, 1935:
Music for a Scene from Shelley op.7 for orchestra by Samuel Barber (25) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
April 24, 1935:
Samuel Barber (25) begins a weekly song series on the NBC Radio Network.
May 6, 1935:
It is announced that Samuel Barber (25) has won a Pulitzer traveling scholarship of $1,500.
May 9, 1935:
On a national radio broadcast of his music over NBC, it is announced that Samuel Barber (25) has won the Prix de Rome. This allows him to study at the American Academy in Rome for two years and $1,400 per year.
June 25, 1935:
Dance for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (25) to words of Stephens is performed for the first time, in London. Also premiered is Barber’s With Rue my Heart is Laden op.2/2 for voice and piano to words of Housman.
October 5, 1935:
Samuel Barber (25) departs for Rome for his two-year stay as Prix de Rome winner.
April 22, 1936:
Two of the Three Songs op.10 for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (26) to words of Joyce, Rain Has Fallen and Sleep Now, along with The Beggar’s Song to words of Davies, are performed for the first time, in Villa Aurelia, American Academy, Rome. The composer performs both parts. See 7 March 1937.
May 15, 1936:
Samuel Barber (26) and Gian Carlo Menotti (24) move into a game warden’s cottage on a large estate near St. Wolfgang in the Austrian Alps. They will stay until 1 November.
December 13, 1936:
Symphony no.1 "in one movement” op.9 by Samuel Barber (26) is performed for the first time, in the Adriano Theatre, Rome. During the rehearsals, the tuba player told Barber, “I’ve been waiting 15 years for a part like that.”
December 14, 1936:
String Quartet op.11 by Samuel Barber (26) is performed for the first time, at the Villa Aurelia in Rome.
March 7, 1937:
I Hear an Army, the third of the Three Songs op.10 for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (26) to words of Joyce, is performed for the first time, in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. See 5 May 1945.
January 31, 1938:
God’s Grandeur, for double chorus by Samuel Barber (27) to words of Hopkins, is performed for the first time, at the State Teachers College in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
March 7, 1938:
The Dance for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (27), to words of Stephens, is performed for the first time, in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia.
November 5, 1938:
Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (28), an arrangement for string orchestra of the second movement of his String Quartet, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the NBC Radio Network, originating in Rockefeller Center, New York. On the same program is the premiere of Barber’s Essay for Orchestra op.12.
December 16, 1938:
Samuel Barber (28) takes two recent recordings by Arturo Toscanini of Adagio for Strings and First Essay for orchestra and sends them to Jean Sibelius (73) with a letter. “Your music means so much to us who are trying once again to compose...after the years of post-war experimentation into which we were born--your example as an artist is so beautiful and encouraging: so I have always wanted to meet you...”
April 17, 1939:
The Virgin Martyrs op.8/1 for female chorus by Samuel Barber (29) to words of Siegebert of Gembloux (tr. Waddell) is performed for the first time, at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Also premiered is Barber’s choral work Mary Hynes op.16/1 to words of Stephens. See 26 July 1949.
April 23, 1940:
A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map op.15 for male chorus and timpani by Samuel Barber (30) to words of Spender is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the NBC Radio Network, originating in Casimir Hall of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia the composer conducting. Also premiered is Charles Ives’ (65) song 1, 2, 3 to his own words.
May 4, 1940:
Commemorative March for piano, violin, and cello by Samuel Barber (30) is performed for the first time, at the composer’s apartment at 166 East 96th Street, New York for the wedding of his sister.
February 7, 1941:
Concerto for violin and orchestra op.14 by Samuel Barber (30) is performed for the first time, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. It is greeted by thunderous applause from the audience. Critics are generally positive.
April 4, 1941:
Four Songs op.13 by Samuel Barber (31) are performed for the first time, in Philadelphia: A Nun Takes the Veil, to words of Hopkins, The Secrets of the Old, to words of Yeats, Sure on This Shining Night, to words of Agee, and Nocturne, to words of Prokosch.
November 18, 1941:
Samuel Barber (31) is inducted in the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
April 16, 1942:
Second Essay for Orchestra op.17 by Samuel Barber (32) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
September 2, 1942:
Samuel Barber (32) is inducted into the United States Army.
September 16, 1942:
Samuel Barber (32) reports for duty in the United States Army.
September 23, 1942:
Pvt. Samuel Barber (32) is assigned to the Second Service Command of Special Services. He will spend part of each day in basic training in Battery Park and the rest of the day doing work in an office on Broadway.
May 23, 1943:
The original band setting of Commando March by Samuel Barber (33) is performed for the first time, in Convention Hall, Atlantic City. See 29 October 1943.
August 30, 1943:
Pvt. Samuel Barber (33) is transferred to the Army Air Corps in Fort Worth, Texas.
October 29, 1943:
The orchestral setting of Commando March by Samuel Barber (33) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston. See 23 May 1943.
February 22, 1944:
Two Songs op.18 for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (33) are performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York: The Queen’s Face on a Summery Coin, to words of Horan, and Monks and Raisins, to words of Garcia Villa.
March 3, 1944:
Symphony no.2 “Flight Symphony” op.19 by Samuel Barber (33) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston. It is dedicated to the United States Army Air Forces, of which the composer is presently a member.
October 8, 1944:
Capricorn Concerto op.21 for flute, oboe, trumpet, and strings by Samuel Barber (34), is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York. The work is named after the composer’s house in Mount Kisco, New York.
January 4, 1945:
Two of the Excursions op.20 for piano (II, IV) by Samuel Barber (34) are performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, along with the first movement, which was premiered last year. See 21 November 1947.
January 9, 1945:
Long Live Louise and Sidney Homer for three women’s voices by Samuel Barber (34) is performed for the first time, in Winter Park, Florida.
April 22, 1945:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for Lukas Foss (22), Samuel Barber (35), and Elliott Carter (36).
May 2, 1945:
Arrangements for voice and orchestra of four songs by Samuel Barber (35) are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS Radio Network, conducted by the composer: I Hear an Army op.10/3, to words of Joyce, Sure on This Shining Night op.13/3, to words of Agee, Nocturne op.13/4 to words of Prokosch, and Monks and Raisins op.18/2 to words of Garcia Villa. See 7 March 1937, 4 April 1941, and 22 February 1944.
May 12, 1945:
Samuel Barber (35) and Gian Carlo Menotti (33) receive honorary doctorates from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
September 28, 1945:
Corporal Samuel Barber (35) is discharged from the United States Army.
April 5, 1946:
Samuel Barber’s (36) Concerto for cello and orchestra op.22 is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
May 10, 1946:
Serpent Heart (later called Medea), a ballet by Samuel Barber (36) to a scenario by Graham, is performed for the first time, in McMillan Theatre of Columbia University, New York. See 27 February 1947, 5 December 1947, and 2 February 1956.
February 27, 1947:
Cave of the Heart, a revised version of Samuel Barber’s (36) ballet Serpent Heart to a scenario by Graham, is performed for the first time, in Ziegfeld Theatre, New York. See 10 May 1946.
November 21, 1947:
Excursions op.20 for piano by Samuel Barber (37) is performed completely for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York. See 4 January 1945.
December 5, 1947:
An orchestral suite from the ballet Medea by Samuel Barber (37) is performed for the first time, in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia. See 10 May 1946.
April 9, 1948:
Knoxville: Summer of 1915 op.24 for voice and orchestra by Samuel Barber (38) to words of Agee, is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
April 10, 1949:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for John Cage (36), Samuel Barber (39), Peter Mennin (25), Leon Kirchner (30), and Robert Ward (31).
July 26, 1949:
Reincarnations op.16 for chorus by Samuel Barber (39) to words of Stephens, is performed completely for the first time, in New York. See 17 April 1939.
December 9, 1949:
Piano Sonata in e flat minor op.26 by Samuel Barber (39) is performed for the first time, in Havana.
April 1, 1950:
Three of the Melodies passagères op.27/1,4,5 for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (40) to words of Rilke, are performed for the first time, in Washington. See 21 January 1952.
October 17, 1950:
Let Down the Bars, O Death op.8/2 for chorus by Samuel Barber (40) to words of Dickinson, is performed for the first time, at West Chester State Teachers College, West Chester, Pennsylvania, conducted by the composer.
January 21, 1952:
Francis Poulenc (53) and Pierre Bernac begin their third North American tour with a performance at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington. They give the first complete performance of Samuel Barber's cycle Melodies passagères op.27 to words of Rilke.
March 11, 1953:
A piano duet version of Samuel Barber’s (43) unperformed ballet Souvenirs is performed for the first time, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. See 12 November 1953 and 15 November 1955.
October 30, 1953:
Hermit Songs op.29, a cycle for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (43) to anonymous medieval Irish texts, is performed for the first time, in Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, Washington the composer at the keyboard.
November 12, 1953:
An orchestral suite from Samuel Barber’s (43) unperformed ballet Souvenirs is performed for the first time, in Chicago. See 11 March 1953 and 15 November 1955.
November 28, 1954:
Adventure for flute, clarinet, horn, harp, and various non-western instruments by Samuel Barber (44) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS television, the composer conducting. The non-western instruments are taken from the collection of the Museum of Natural History, New York.
December 3, 1954:
Prayers of Kierkegaard op.30 for soprano, alto, tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Samuel Barber (44) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
November 15, 1955:
Souvenirs op.28, a ballet by Samuel Barber (45) to a story by Bolender, is performed for the first time, in City Center, New York. See 11 March 1953 and 12 November 1953.
February 2, 1956:
Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance op.23a, an orchestral excerpt from the ballet Medea, by Samuel Barber (45), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York. See 10 May 1946.
March 20, 1956:
Summer Music op.31 for wind quintet by Samuel Barber (46) is performed for the first time, at the Detroit Institute of the Arts.
May 5, 1958:
Samuel Barber (48) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his opera Vanessa.
May 20, 1958:
The Henry Hadley Medal is awarded to Samuel Barber (48) by the National Association for American Composers and Conductors at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
October 19, 1958:
Wondrous Love for organ by Samuel Barber (48) is performed for the first time, in Christ Episcopal Church, Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
December 5, 1958:
Samuel Barber (48) is elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York.
June 12, 1959:
Samuel Barber (49) is awarded an honorary doctorate from Harvard University.
December 20, 1959:
In a memorable evening in New York, Igor Stravinsky (77) conducts a performance of his Les Noces. The four pianists are Roger Sessions (62), Aaron Copland (59), Samuel Barber (49) and Lukas Foss (37). Premiered this evening is Stravinsky’s (76) Double Canon for string quartet.
September 30, 1960:
Toccata festiva op.36 for organ and orchestra by Samuel Barber (50) is performed for the first time, at Philadelphia Academy of Music. The work was commissioned to inaugurate the Academy’s new Aeolian-Skinner organ.
December 22, 1960:
Samuel Barber’s (50) orchestral work Die natali op.37 is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
November 13, 1961:
Pablo Casals gives a recital at the White House before President and Mrs. Kennedy and 200 invited guests. Among those attending are the elite of the musical culture of the United States: Walter Piston (67), Howard Hanson (65), Virgil Thomson (64), Roger Sessions (64), Henry Cowell (64), Roy Harris (63), Aaron Copland (60), Elliott Carter (52), Samuel Barber (51), William Schuman (51), Alan Hovhaness (50), Gian Carlo Menotti (50), Norman Dello Joio (48), Leonard Bernstein (43), Eugene Ormandy, and Leopold Stokowski. The concert is recorded and will be televised. Bernstein will recall “I’ve never seen so many happy artists in my life.”
September 23, 1962:
Connotations for orchestra by Aaron Copland (61) is performed for the first time, at the inauguration of Lincoln Center, directed by Leonard Bernstein (44). The concert is televised by the CBS television network. Among the attenders are composers Walter Piston (68), Roger Sessions (65), Henry Cowell (65), Roy Harris (64), Samuel Barber (52) and the Center’s director, William Schuman (52), along with Rudolf Bing, Isaac Stern, Secretary-General of the United Nations U Thant, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and New York Mayor Robert Wagner.
September 24, 1962:
Piano Concerto op.38 by Samuel Barber (52) is performed for the first time, at Lincoln Center, New York. It will win for Barber his second Pulitzer Prize.
April 4, 1963:
Andromache’s Farewell op.39 for soprano and orchestra by Samuel Barber (53) to words of Euripides (tr. Creagh) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.
May 6, 1963:
Samuel Barber (53) wins a second Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Piano Concerto no.1. See 24 September 1962.
May 7, 1964:
Chorale for Ascension Day for chorus, brass, timpani, and organ by Samuel Barber (54) to words of Browning, is performed for the first time, in the National Cathedral, Washington.
October 8, 1964:
Night Flight, a revision of the second movement of Samuel Barber’s (54) Second Symphony, is performed for the first time, in Severance Hall, Cleveland.
September 16, 1966:
Antony and Cleopatra, an opera by Samuel Barber (56) to words of Zeferelli after Shakespeare, commissioned to open the new Metropolitan Opera House, is performed for the first time, in New York before a glittering audience including the first lady and various heads of state, diplomats, and other government leaders. It is a complete flop. See 6 February 1975.
October 7, 1968:
Mutations from Bach for brass and timpani by Samuel Barber (58) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
April 27, 1969:
Despite and Still op.41, a cycle for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (59) to words of Graves, Roethke, and Joyce, is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
January 24, 1970:
As part of a celebration of the 70th birthday of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy, Variations on Happy Birthday by several composers is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. Among those contributing variations are Aaron Copland (69) and Samuel Barber (59). President Nixon awards conductor Eugene Ormandy the Medal of Freedom.
September 10, 1971:
Fadograph of a Yestern Scene for two solo voices and orchestra by Samuel Barber (61) after Joyce is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh. It was commissioned for the opening of the new Heinz Hall.
September 22, 1971:
The Lovers op.43 for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Samuel Barber (61) to words of Neruda is performed for the first time, in the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
April 30, 1974:
Three Songs op.45 by Samuel Barber (64), Now I Have Fed and Eaten Up the Rose to words of Keller (tr. Joyce), A Green Lowland of Pianos to words of Harasymowicz (tr. Milosz), and O Boundless, Boundless Evening to words of Heym (tr. Middleton) for voice and piano are performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
February 6, 1975:
A revised version of Antony and Cleopatra, an opera by Samuel Barber (64) to words of Zeferelli after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in New York. See 16 September 1966.
May 19, 1976:
Samuel Barber (66) is awarded the Gold Medal for music by the National Institute of Arts and Letters of the United States.
September 11, 1977:
Ballade op.46 for piano by Samuel Barber (67) is performed for the first time, as part of the Fifth Van Cliburn competition in Fort Worth, Texas.
September 14, 1978:
Third Essay for Orchestra by Samuel Barber (68) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
August 24, 1980:
Samuel Barber (70) is awarded the MacDowell Medal by the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Barber is too ill to attend.
November 9, 1980:
Samuel Barber (70) is admitted to University Hospital, New York after a stroke in Scotland about a month ago.
December 31, 1980:
His condition slowly deteriorating, Samuel Barber (70) is brought from his room in University Hospital, New York to a conference room in the same building. There, a concert of mostly his music is given for him by several musicians, including pianists Robert de Gaetano and John Browning. His Adagio for Strings is among the works performed.
January 18, 1981:
Samuel Barber (70) is released from University Hospital, New York suffering from a stroke he had at the beginning of October, multiple myeloma, and the effects of chronic alcoholism. He is brought to his home in Manhattan.
January 23, 1981:
Samuel Barber dies in his home in New York, New York, USA of multiple myeloma (cancer of the lymphatic system), aged 70 years, ten months, and 14 days.
January 26, 1981:
After a funeral service in the First Presbyterian Church, the mortal remains of Samuel Barber are laid to rest in Oaklands Cemetery, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
December 17, 1981:
Canzonetta op.48 for oboe and strings by Samuel Barber (†0) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.