Excursions, Op. 20 (Barber)
Movements
i Un poco allegro, ii In slow blues tempo, iii Allegretto, iv Exuberant and joyous barn dance
Notes
Excursions, Op. 20, is the first published solo piano piece by Samuel Barber. Barber himself explains: “These are ‘Excursions’ in small classical forms into regional American idioms. Their rhythmic characteristics, as well as their source in folk material and their scoring, reminiscent of local instruments are easily recognized.” This is typical of neo-Romantic composers such as Barber.
The second movement, entitled ‘In slow blues tempo,’ encapsulates the popular American idiom, a “rich and elegant blues.” Barber uses “conventional harmonic progressions and melodic and rhythmic features associated with blues” to continue the overarching idea of the American idiom within classic form.
