The Crucifixion
Song record peer reviewed by Editorial Board member: Gregory Zavracky| Song Title | The Crucifixion (Search) |
| Composer(s): | Samuel Barber |
| Composer Underrepresented Group | LGBTQ+ (Search) |
| Author(s): | Howard Mumford Jones (after Anonymous) |
| Keyword(s) & Features: | Addressee: Jesus; Anguish; Birds; Bodies; Ceasing; Christian Worship Service; Christianity; Cries; Crosses; Crucifying; Day; Faith; Grief; Holy Week; Lamenting; Lent; Metaphor: Jesus as Swan; Mothers; Mourning; Night; Part of a Song Cycle; Parting; Religion; Sons; Sore; Sorrow; Suffering; Swans; Virgin Mary |
| First Line | At the cry of the first bird (Search) |
| Average Duration | 2:00 (Search) |
| Year of composition | 1952 (Search) |
| Link to English Text Online | http://www.listeningarts.com/music/art_song/sounds_and_texts/BarberTexts.htm |
| Larger Work | Hermit Songs (Search) |
| Musical Form | Rounded binary (Search) |
| Original Language | English (Search) |
| Score Source | https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=50490045 |
| Audio Source | https://open.spotify.com/track/4MXZBH5vmAwwo8OrZQ4p7C?si=5v2-mw9oTwyisvgfZv3Tig |
| Difficulty Level | HS (Search) |
| Catalog Designation | Op. 29 no. 5 (Search) |
| Range: | D4 - F5 (Search) |
| Original Key | A minor (Search) |
| Premiered By | Leontyne Price; Samuel Barber (Search) |
| Commissioned By | Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation (Search) |
| Notes | Also available in low key (G minor). Text from The Speckled Book, 12th century (Search) |
| Recommended Printed Source | G. Schirmer, "Samuel Barber: 65 Songs" (Search) |
| Sources Cited | Heyman, B. (2012). Samuel Barber : A thematic catalogue of the complete works. New York: Oxford University Press. (Search) |