In this episode, Dave and Andrew explore the fourth opera to win the Pulitzer Prize in the 1950s, Samuel Barber's Vanessa. In the mid-20th century United States, Samuel Barber was one of the most performed American composers, known especially for his beautiful vocal music that closely mirrored European models. But with the Pulitzer traditionally awarding works that are more "American" in sound, does Vanessa represent a departure from convention for Barber or the Pulitzer board?
If you'd like more information about Samuel Barber or Vanessa we recommend:
Episode 33 - 1975: Dominick Argento, From the Diary of Virginia Woolf
Episode 32 - 1974: Donald Martino, Notturno
Episode 31 - 1973: Elliott Carter, String Quartet No. 3
Episode 30 - 1972: Jacob Druckman, Windows
Episode 29 - 1971: Mario Davidovsky, Synchronisms No. 6
Episode 28 - 1970: Charles Wuorinen, Time’s Encomium
Episode 27 - 1969: Karel Husa, String Quartet No. 3
Episode 26 - 1968: George Crumb, Echoes of Time and the River
Episode 25 - 1967: Leon Kirchner, Third String Quartet
Episode 24 - 1966: Leslie Bassett, Variations for Orchestra
Episode 23 - 1965: No Prize (the Pulitzer Hat Trick)
Episode 22 - 1964: No Prize (again)
Episode 21 - 1963: Samuel Barber, Piano Concerto No. 1
Episode 20 - 1962: Robert Ward, The Crucible
Episode 19 - 1961: Walter Piston, Symphony No. 7
Episode 18 - 1960: Elliott Carter, Second String Quartet
Episode 17 - 1959: John La Montaine, Piano Concerto No. 1
Episode 15 - 1957: Norman Dello Joio, Meditations on Ecclesiastes
Episode 14 - 1956: Ernst Toch, Symphony No. 3
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