Samuel Barber: "Rain Has Fallen", Op. 10, No. 1 - Gerald Finley

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Three Songs to Poems of James Joyce, Op. 10 No. 1 - "Rain Has Fallen" Gerald Finley (baritone) Julius Drake (piano) Samuel Barber's background, deeply rooted in singing, his love of poetry, and his intimate knowledge and appreciation of the human voice, inspired his vocal writing. Barber set to music six poems by James Joyce from his _Chamber Music_. Three of these songs were published in 1939 as Barber's Op. 10. "Rain has fallen," the first song, has an interesting piano accompaniment. High, cascading arpeggios are meant to convey the idea of falling rain. Also, in the middle section, the piano has a low, chromatically descending line which also sounds like falling rain. This song has a dramatic tone throughout. (AllMusic.com) "Rain Has Fallen", Op. 10, No. 1 Rain has fallen all the day. O come among the laden trees: The leaves lie thick upon the way Of memories. Staying a little by the way Of memories shall we depart. Come, my beloved, where I may Speak to your heart. James Joyce

Samuel Osborne Barber II was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. He is one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century: music critic Donal Henahan stated that "Probably no other American composer has ever enjoyed such early, such persistent and such long-lasting acclaim."

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