Sam Barber's influence on Williams

[David Coscina 3]

I find it curious how most people ascribe Williams' style to guys like Strauss or Korngold when I hear so many stylistic similarities between Williams and Sam Barber's music. Both have a strong melodic element in their music and colorful orchestration. And both are (or were in Barber's case) technically quite adept.

Overture to the School of Scandal with it's quick scherzo rhythms calls up several Williams pieces and also the use of 7th inversion chords in the horns, a staple of Williams' '70's style.

Essay for Orchestra #3- the most developed part of the theme with its overt melodicism seems like it was influencial on Williams' Accidental Tourist theme- not that WIlliams ripped it off because they have 2 distinct melodies. It's more the way the arc of the line is constructed as well as how Barber builds his lyrical theme to the climax of the Essay. The full expository finale of Accidental Tourist is very similar in its approach to Barber's finale in his 3rd Essay.

Williams' main theme from Born on the 4th of July shares more than a passing relation to Barber's theme group in his Violin Concerto, moreso than Puccini's Turandot as was suggested out by Guy Tucker ages ago in a Soundtrack! magazine review.

Anyhow, I think Barber ought to be seen as a stylistic catalyst moreso than Korngold especially considering the number of Americana sections Williams has written which certainly are more indictive of Barber than Copeland.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I doubt John Williams has ever heard of this follow.

[David Coscina 3]

Williams has conducted Barber's music when he was leading the Boston Pops in the '80's.

[Sicmu 0]

I agre with you that Barber's Essays and Symphonies clearly influenced Williams but you can't deny the similarities between the love theme of Korngold and those by Williams (Indiana Jones) as for the Kings Row Overture and the Superman and StarWars main theme, etc...

To me Williams is closer to Prokofiev's last period and of course William Walton (symphonies, Partita, marches). Williams has a good knowlege of english music and american composers like Peter Mennin and Hanson.

I can't also understand why Richard Strauss and JW are associated and only a fool could think that Williams doesn't konw Barber for years !

[David Coscina 3]

yes Simcu that's very true what you say about Prokofiev. I notice the same dissonant harmonic suspensions in Williams writing as Prokofiev's especially in parts of Nixon. I'm familiar with Walton's 1st symphony which totally kicks BTW but not a whole lot of his canon. But from what I've heard, I won't disagree with you on your assertion. I have read that Williams is especially fond of Elgar. Hmmm. Don't hear it that much to be honest but what the heck.