Eileen Farrell sings "Knoxville: Summer of 1915"

Here is a radio broadcast from 1949 with Eileen Farrell singing Samuel Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" (the original version) with Bernard Herrmann conducting the CBS Symphony Orchestra. The prose poem is by James Agee. Recorded 19 June 1949.
And here is a link to one of my many Eileen Farrell playlists:
• Eileen Farrell - songs...
"It has become the time of evening
when people sit on their porches,
rocking gently and talking gently
and watching the street
and the standing up
into their sphere of possession of the trees,
of birds' hung havens, hangers.
People go by; things go by.
A horse, drawing a buggy, breaking his hollow iron music on the asphalt;
a loud auto; a quiet auto;
people in pairs, not in a hurry,
scuffling, switching their weight of aestival body, talking casually,
the taste hovering over them of vanilla, strawberry, pasteboard and starched milk,
the image upon them of lovers and horsemen, squared with clowns in hueless amber.
A streetcar raising its iron moan:
stopping, belling and starting; stertorous; rousing and raising again its iron increasing moan
and swimming its gold windows and straw seats on past and past and past,
the bleak spark crackling and cursing above it like a small malignant spirit set to dog its tracks;
the iron whine rises on rising speed;
still risen, faints; halts; the faint stinging bell;
rises again, still fainter, fainter, lifting, lifts, faints forgone: forgotten.
Now is the night one blue dew.
Now is the night one blue dew,
my father has drained,
now he has coiled the hose.
Low on the length of lawns,
a frailing of fire who breathes ...
Parents on porches: rock and rock.
From damp strings morning glories hang their ancient faces.
The dry and exalted noise of the locusts from all the air at once enchants my eardrums.
On the rough wet grass of the backyard my father and mother have spread quilts.
We all lie there, my mother, my father, my uncle, my aunt, and I too am lying there ...
They are not talking much, and the talk is quiet,
of nothing in particular, of nothing at all in particular, of nothing at all.
The stars are wide and alive, they seem each like a smile of great sweetness, and they seem very near.
All my people are larger bodies than mine, ...
with voices gentle and meaningless like the voice of sleeping birds.
One is an artist, he is living at home.
One is a musician, she is living at home.
One is my mother who is good to me.
One is my father who is good to me.
By some chance, here they are, all on this earth;
and who shall ever tell the sorrow of being on this earth,
lying, on quilts, on the grass, in a summer evening, among the sounds of the night.
May God bless my people, my uncle, my aunt, my mother, my good father,
oh, remember them kindly in their time of trouble;
and in the hour of their taking away.
After a little I am taken in and put to bed.
Sleep, soft smiling, draws me unto her:
and those receive me, who quietly treat me,
as one familiar and well-beloved in that home:
but will not, no ,will not, not now, not ever;
but will not ever tell me who I am."

[@harrietb.arrasmith4965]

This is a spectacular piece of music packed with so many emotions, just wrenching; then add an amazing singer like Eileen Farrell. So thankful for recordings like these. Harriet Beebe Arasmith

[@chrisczajasager]

THIS EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE REMINDS ME V E R Y MUCH OF aDELE aDDISON'S INTERPRETATION! tHUS A TREASURED MEMORY AND NOW DISCOVERING THIS MARVELOUS RECREATION OF sAM'S GREAT OPUS IN nOVEMBER 2018! a GIFT!!

[@gregorymowery8879]

What is astonishing is that Farrell, the great American dramatic soprano of her generation lofts this soft and very high parts of this gorgeous score as though she were a lyric soprano. Leontyne Price still owns this glorious score, and now Farrell joins her with Steber as the quintessentially American opera singer with the range, expressive feeling, emotional response to the music, and clarity of diction that makes this work a joy when you can understand the poetry. This is a gorgeous and profound surprise.

[@jacobmorris3664]

Sylvia McNair did a great version as well, and she had the right timbre for the child "speaker."

[@normancascioppo1456]

Farrell & Price are both lyrics ( @ least started off that way)

[@liedersanger1]

Farrell was always a dramatic, though she sang Bach and jazz and everything else.

[@liedersanger1]

Maseratik. Shut up, and go read a book about how to behave in public places.

[@genlyai5055]

Price never had the diction for this. EVER. She certainly does not 'own' it. Farrell and Steber have joint ownership.

[@davidsironen5777]

Beautiful rendition of a great piece. Probably the most relaxed tempos of any version I've heard. This version runs 2-3 minutes longer than most performances which suits Eileen Farrell's seemingly limitless breath control and fluid tone. Modern performances of "classical" music are often too fast. Bernard Herrmann's languid tempos allow this listener to savor the text and catch a lot of orchestral details that otherwise, go by to fast. Wonderful to have this performance preserved!

[@greatmomentsofopera7170]

Gorgeous interpretation - so conversational, natural yet characterful and incredible timbre.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Priceless! No make believe youthful voice to portray childhood is needed. The honest portrayal with most gifted voice wins my heart forever. A gift to be cherished.

[@piustwelfth]

Wow, what a voice. Pure and golden.

[@jeffwithtwoels]

Stunning! I know the original Eleanor Steber recording, and have long loved Leontyne Price's performance, but Farrell sings this work beautifully! But then, Ms. Farrell could sing anything, so I shouldn't be surprised.

[@genlyai5055]

Price of course was a great singer, but she hasn't the lapidary diction for this text. Fatal flaw. This requires diction as great as the vocal instrument. This text cannot be mush-mouthed.

[@kealieobrien6989]

This song was on an ap music theory practice test a few years back and I remember when we took the test I almost cried tears of joy and I sat through the rest of the test smiling like a love-sick idiot. Few songs have affected me this way and I'm so glad I have finally found the song!

[@orleylindgren7568]

Wonderful to hear the difficult English language sung so clearly and with beautiful meaning by a dramatic voice. The forte sections of this piece should overwhelm the listener and with Farrell's voice this is accomplished. A great singer performing a masterpiece.

[@kipbarker7916]

WOW! A quintessential performance by one of the truly great artists of Las century Bernard Hermann and the Columbia orchestra delivered the finest accomplishments ever and I've heard a lot. This masterpiece of Barber's and Agee's have never been better served on a recording.

[@photo161]

Beautifully sung...

[@opertutto]

A fine match of voice and understanding of the text to this essential music which reflects childhood and wonderment unique to Southerners.

[@doGreatartistsgrowontrees]

This is quite a find indeed. A treasure. Up there now with Steber in my estimation. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@jonboyy4037]

I never knew that this recording existed. What a wonderful surprise to hear Eileen sing my favorite Barber composition. I love the added information of Agee's meaning being added in the comments. If only more people could appreciate this great work.

[@tamerlano]

A glorious voice...with wonderful diction...what a find!

[@uncawizard]

eoselan7: The original version of the Prologue to A Death in the Family was deemed too disturbing and was replaced with Knoxville: Summer, 1915 when the book was first published (after Agee's death). The original Prologue is a horrific nightmare journey through Knoxville. It was included in Michael Lafaro's restoration of Agee's novel, published by the U of TN Press.

[@soprano774]

A gold standard. One of the best vocal techniques ever. What a beautiful performance of this lovely work.

[@jsbrules]

I love this ravishing performance. It is said that Barber liked for it to be performed briskly, but somehow I don't think this one drags at all, although it is longer than most. Another mystery, like this piece of poetry and music.

[@daviddanielbowes4076]

I am a violist. In maybe 1975 or so Miss Farrell came and sang the Immolation Scene of Wagner with my orchestra (Toledo Symphony). Amazing how she grew and adjusted her voice over the years. I also was privileged to play Mahler #2 with her in the San Francisco Symphony. She was a WONDERFUL person, so lively and real and friendly!

[@kadoguy]

I as unaware that she sang the Mahler 2nd. Do you recall a date or what year that may have been? It would be wonderful for the Symphony to release some of those historic performances for the public.

[@anothertime1282]

This is perfect. It is an America before it was a bullying, imperial power, stamping its way round the world. It is the America we loved.

[@Twentythousandlps]

The piece has over time become a favorite of light lyric sopranos, who can float certain parts very prettily. But the larger voices bring something special to it.

[@Greg07623]

The older I grow the more music I wish Eileen Farrell had recorded

[@markspano3468]

I heard her so many years ago. A wonderful memory.

[@opertutto]

Essential reading: the whole of A Death in the Family, and Agee's Letters to Father Flye.

[@NCinNYC]

Spectacular. When I was in graduate school at IU, Eileen Farrell would sing Monday through Friday from 8-10 in the morning with IU opera coach Elmar Burrows. If you got to school early, you could go hang outside her studio and hear her still-beautiful artistry.

[@TraceyMarble]

How lucky for you, Phil! I had forgotten that you went to grad school at IU! I was an undergrad there, studying under Margaret Harshaw!

[@NCinNYC]

+Tracey Marble Trace--I had forgotten that you went to IU, and I didn't know you studied with Harshaw. That's very cool that we have that in common. xoxo

[@lauragoodwin4915]

+Phil Hall Was that the u of Ill?

[@Ruffiello]

What did that voice sound like up close?

[@FifthContinentMusic]

A superb performance by Eileen Farrell. Kudos to Bernard Herrmann and the CBS Symphony Orchestra.

[@laurenceesposito3393]

Wow! Just wow! Miss Farrell is splendid! With Bernard Herrmann's incisive conducting. What musicianship from all.

[@williamdonahue6617]

Great pictures as well. So full of life.

[@waynesmith3767]

Since my teenage years I have been a fan of Farrell; an aunt and uncle had a recording of Puccini and Verdi arias which we played and played; I always wondered why so much attention and fuss was given to more famous sopranos! And I have known this piece for as long but never have I heard this performance. Farrell and Herrmann take it at what has to be the perfect tempo, whatever Barber thought.Farrell is superb in every aspect of this work, not least in the clarity she gives to Agee’s great text.

[@johnmueter378]

Lovingly rendered by a great artist. Wonderful!

[@MsOrgonomics]

The text is the introduction to James Agee's "A Death In The Family"--A wonderful book.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

It was not written as an introduction to that book, it was tacked on as preface by his editor and, since Agee was dead, without his in knowledge

[@Markus6179]

What a treat! Thank you. I never knew she sang this.

[@lloydarriola3481]

I 💖 Eileen Farrell. The greatest American soprano, next to Leontyne Price and Rosa Ponselle.

[@tedotten4377]

Thank you for posting this. Brava, diva! Bravi, tutti!

[@davidmayhew4818]

What a voice!!!

[@phyllisramsey9531]

Wonderful version by Eileen Farrell!

[@sararichardson9921]

A voice like no other!

[@fatherglyn]

oh my gosh - this is beautiful. Thank you posting this.

[@aleksandarjankovski6542]

Sublime. Just sublime.

[@16toulousse]

How wonderful ❤️❤️❤️

[@bostonviewer5430]

This what Eileen Farrell was born to sing: American music. In a sea of choices this remains my own favorite. This and popular songs were made for her and they for her. In case anyone wonders why her opera career on stage was short, I think at the end of the day it was not what she did best when so many others were better on stage than she.

[@kipbarker7916]

By last century's artists I mean Farrell most certainly. Eric Whitaker in an interview said Summer of 1915 was the best setting of any English

[@stephenhall3515]

Possibly the best I have heard. Thank you.

[@markrearden8582]

Beautiful. Reminds me of Sylvia McNair with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. That version runs 17:12. I like the slow tempo of this piece. Thanks for sharing!

[@genlyai5055]

Except that Sylvia McNair is abominable and can't sing this piece.

[@operassassinOperaAssassin]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS

[@donaldallen1771]

We are fortunate to have a number of really fine performances of this masterwork -- Dawn Upshaw, Renee Fleming and now I've just heard this for the first time (I do not particularly care for Leontyne Price or Eleanor Steber in this music; yes, I know Steber commissioned it). Fabulous singing -- not surprising, given who it is -- and I love that she and Herrmann let it breath. I like the relaxed tempi. Just beautiful. This is one of the most moving works certainly in American classical literature, maybe all of it.

[@michaelmcauley7704]

Thank you for your review of this wonderful piece. I'd only heard the first part until now and the ravishing voice of Eileen Farrell is also new to me. I feel overwhelmed

[@genlyai5055]

You like the two worst performances on record (Upshaw and Fleming) other than Battleax. How could you possibly like this performance as well? Cognitive dissonance in excelsis!

[@beth_levin_piano]

Thank you!

[@NCinNYC]

Laura--Indiana University in Bloomington

[@NCinNYC]

Laura--Indiana University in Bloomington

[@susanvaughan4210]

The older I get, the more her performance of Knoxville astounds and moves me.

[@LUCAVA-xj2ex]

Una maravilla!. Samuel Barber y letra de James Agee recordando su infancia y los tridtes ducrsos del accidente donde su padre perdió la vida cuando él tenía 6 años. Y que Agee noveló años después en "Una muerte en la familia" Premio Putli

[@LUCAVA-xj2ex]

* Pulitzer 1958. Voz increíblemente maravillosa. KNOXVILLE VERANO DE 1915 también lo canta para mí por otra gran soprano, Bárbara Hendriks.

[@ludovicusschmitz3574]

Wonderful voice ! Thanks for sharing !

[@danielacobai9385]

Voce stupenda, la riascolto spesso🌹🌹🌹

[@UMVELINQANGI]

Sublime

[@LUCAVA-xj2ex]

Hermosísima voz Eileen Farrell 💜

[@patb9684]

eoselan7, are you referring to Knoxville, or A Death in the Family? If Knoxville, could you elaborate? I'm curious.

[@elegantfowl1]

+Pat B Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is a prologue, part of A Death in the Family.

[@onigbajamo]

+Richard Todd It is not a part of _A Death in the Family_. The publishers decided to add it to the book after his death.

[@elegantfowl1]

You're right, of course.

[@photo161]

there is more of horror than wonder in this work if you understand the text.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

nope.