The Romantic American:

Abstract

The Romantic American: Research and Analysis of Samuel Barbers Cello Sonata, Op. 6

Adrianne M. Mascho School of Music, Violoncello The Graduate School Seoul National University

Our research aims to focus on Barbers Cello Sonata, Op. 6, and the history behind it, including the influential people who supported the young composer in his rise to early success.

Barbers first and only cello sonata, written at age 22, is a significant composition in Barbers life and career because it was conceived at a turning point in the composers personal and professional life. This composition was considered the first American cello sonata, and remained the only one for the next 18 years . Strongly opposed to the modern movement of avant-gardism which was popular in the United States at the time, Samuel Barber, considered to be neo-romantic, was inspired by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy and Sibelius, and wanted his works to communicate romanticism, beauty and emotion. Barbers award-winning Cello Sonata can be seen as a transitional composition in the composers career, revealing elements found in both his early and mature styles.

Additionally, the author provides a more detailed analysis of the Cello Sonata, incorporating structural analysis and descriptive interpretation. Likewise, a descriptive approach to performance will provide suggestions regarding fingering, bowing, phrasing and interpretation of performance instructions. The author desires that the romantic ideals communicated by Barber through the Cello Sonata can, in a sense, be reintroduced to the performer. Doing so increases the awareness of its musical and historic value, both to musicians and scholars, and highlights the Cello Sonata as an early masterwork of Samuel Barber—one of the greatest American composers of the twentieth century.

Included in the appendix is a graphic timeline focusing on the Cello Sonatas significance in Barbers life, specifically the years 1932-1937. The timeline includes noteworthy compositions, influences, honors, early performances and a discography of the Cello Sonata, with names of the performers. The purpose of the timeline is to present a visual summary of the following research.

Keywords: Barber, Samuel, Cello, Sonata, Opus 6, neo-romantic

Student Number: 2011-23015