1954
Hermit Songs, Op. 29
Composed by 
Samuel Barber
Samuel Barber Text by Anonymous
Song Collection
Samuel Barber's Hermit Songs, "based on comments written on the margins of medieval manuscripts by Irish monks, are infused with a modal harmonic language of great stylistic integrity; they led [William] Schuman to hail Barber as an unmatched art-song composer."
--Barbara B. Heyman's article in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
About
The song cycle was composed in 1953 and published in 1954. The work was commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation in the Library of Congress, and the premiere was sung by soprano Leontyne Price.
Songs
At Saint Patrick’s Purgatory1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymousChurch Bell at Night1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous, Howard Mumford JonesSt. Ita’s Vision1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous, Chester KallmanThe Heavenly Banquet1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymousThe Crucifixion1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous, Howard Mumford JonesSea-Snatch1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymousPromiscuity1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymousThe Monk and His Cat (op. 29, no. 8)1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberW. H. Auden, AnonymousThe Praises of God1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous, W. H. AudenThe Desire for Hermitage1954 · Hermit Songs, Op. 29Samuel BarberAnonymous
Sheet Music
Samuel Barber: 65 Songs (G. Schirmer, medium-low voice)
Samuel Barber
Medium/Low