I first heard of Samuel Barber's biography by Barbara Heyman when I watched the documentary Absolute Beauty, which I reviewed elsewhere on this blog, and when I went on Amazon.com to purchase the biography I found out a second edition was published just last month. I wasn't sure which edition I should purchase, especially given the hefty price of the second edition ($55), but in the end I am really glad I bought the more expensive and more recent one.
The hardcover book is of great quality, with thick pages - not too thick, but not too thin either, so that they can display easily both the text and the scores of many music excerpts included in the book. It is always hard to write the biography of a musician or musical artist as his/her contributions were auditory more than visual, but the use of those tidbits of scores helps make this biography a winner. The book is interspersed by findings that Heyman made in the process of researching this book and I have to say I came away with the impression that this biography, in its multiple editions, was the great contribution of her life to society - and what a contribution it is. Barber really comes to life in these pages. The writing is never tedious. We understand better his friendships and his goals.
The book that this reminds me the most of is the acclaimed biography of Leonard Bernstein by Humphey Burton. It is a rare feat for a biographer to make his/her subject come so compellingly to life. What an achievement for Heyman that she could pull it off for Barber, analyzing his works in depth, mentioning his personal life without being gossipy or voyeuristic, and ultimately ensuring his place in the Pantheon of American composers.
Of course this biography begs to be read while music by Samuel Barber plays in the background. I recommend Barber: Violin Concerto Op. 14/ Piano Concerto Op. 38 / Adagio for Strings, with Leonard Bernstein conducting. Barber: Adagio for Strings; Violin Concerto, again with Leonard Bernstein, is also a classic.
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