Gary Panetta writes of a Peoria Symphony concert commemorating World War II veterans on the 60th anniversary of the US victories in Europe and Japan. Among the selections Samuel Barber's Symphony No. 1:
Like much of Barber's work, it's passionately romantic with an expansive quality that's captured in the symphony's opening moments.
Barber's Symphony No. 2 might be a more literal choice and possibly more captivating to those aging veterans. Written while Barber was serving in the Army Air Corps, it attempts to give the impression of flying.
In 1964, Barber decided he was dissatisfied with the work and withdrew it. Andrew Schenk later recorded it based on a found copy and the work was re-published in 1990.
My father and three of his brothers served in the War. One of my uncles was killed in combat in Europe; I happened to see his Purple Heart over the holidays. It makes clear the sacrifices of war.
On the other hand, Bob Dole, wounded veteran himself, questioning John Kerry's Purple Hearts during last year's presidential election was a low point in political discourse.
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