| dc.description.abstract | Souvenirs is one of Samuel Barber\'s least known piano works despite possessing many of the trademark elements--beautiful melodies, elegance, compositional variety, and emotional appeal--that made his music famous. Souvenirs exists in four versions: piano duet, orchestral suite (later choreographed for ballet by Todd Bolender), piano solo, and a two-piano version arranged by Arthur Gold and Robert Fizdale. This document focuses on elements from the duet and orchestral versions that can inform the solo pianist\'s interpretation. Aspects examined in the duet version include phrasing, timing, technical issues, musical gestures, and counterpoint. The main elements considered in the orchestral version are Barber\'s choices of instrumentation, articulation, dynamic contrast, texture, and dramatic effects. Chapters on Barber\'s life and music and the historical context of Souvenirs are also included in the study. Hopefully, this document will expose more pianists to Souvenirs and help them in presenting appealing and effective performances that further promote this work. | |
