(February 2023) Episode 476 of the “opus project” is SAMUEL BARBER, one of the best-known American composers of the 20th century. Many of you will know him from his “Adagio for Strings” (made famous in the movie Platoon), arguably his most emotionally resonant work. He get some critics’ sneer for being conventional in an era where his peers were emphasizing the opposite, but he does dip his toes into dissonance and tonal experimentation.
Favorite piece: Adagio for String
Favorite piano piece: Piano Sonata
Favorite Opera: Anthony and Cleopatra
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: won’t blow your mind, but you also can’t really go wrong
Opus Project 