Search - Samuel Barber, Donald Barra, Arioso Wind Quintet :: Barber: Horizon

A Mixed Bag of Barber's Music

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 07/19/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The reason to buy the disc is Horizon, which is the world premiere recording. Horizon is a short work, rather dark and moody. It is a curiosity for lovers of Samuel Barbers music but not as striking or memorable as the Essays for Orchestra, or the Scene from Shelly. The Knoxville: Summer of 1915 that is recorded here is among the worst. Ruth Golden's voice is completely unsuited, and I could not help wondering how such a recording could have been approved for issue. Unfortunately, it spoils what would otherwise be a fairly nice disc. If one wants to hear a great Knoxville, turn to Price, Steber or Upshaw.The remaining works on the disc are well played. The Capricorn and Serenade are particularly nice. Then the ubiquitous Adagio for Strings makes its appearance. It is comes off well-enough but has been better played by other orchestras."

In strong disagreement

Ivan Weiser | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am puzzled by two other reviewers' extraordinarily negative review of Ruth Golden's singing of Knoxville - that her "voice is ugly, the intonation is abysmal, the performance is a mess in every way..", etc.



This is grossly unfair to Ms Golden, who in fact sings the piece quite creditably. What's going on here?"