Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

He may have been one of America's greatest cultural exports, but Barber was never quite the model patriot. Donald Macleod charts the composer's ambivalent relationship with his country, including a spell in the army which was always very much on the musician's terms.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Samuel Barber

    Commando March

    Performers: Cleveland Symphonic Winds, Frederick Fennell (conductor)

    • TELARC CD 80099.
    • 4.
  • Samuel Barber

    Wondrous Love Op.34

    Performer: Ian Quinn (organ)

    • CHANDOS CHAN 10489.
    • 10.
  • Samuel Barber

    Hermit Songs: The Monk and his Cat

    Performers: Barbara Bonney (soprano), André Previn (piano)

    • DECCA 4555112.
    • 27.
  • Samuel Barber

    Heaven-Haven: A Nun Takes the Veil

    Performers: Dunedin Consort, Ben Parry (conductor)

    • LINN CKD117.
    • 6.
  • Samuel Barber

    Songs Op.10 no.1

    Performers: Thomas Hampson (baritone), John Browning (piano)

    • DG 435 8672 CD1.
    • 14.
  • Samuel Barber

    Songs Op.10 no. 3

    Performers: Thomas Hampson (baritone), John Browning (piano)

    • DG 435 8672 CD1.
    • 16.
  • Samuel Barber

    Violin Concerto

    Performers: Gil Shaham (violin), London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn (conductor)

    • DG 439 886-2.
    • 1 to 3.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 29 Apr 2010 12:00
  • Thu 29 Apr 2010 22:00
  • Thu 1 Sep 2011 12:00
  • Thu 1 Sep 2011 18:30

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.