Samuel Barber began his compositional career as a genuine child prodigy. At the age of nine he knew that he wanted to be a musician,...

Samuel Barber began his compositional career as a genuine child prodigy. At the age of nine he knew that he wanted to be a musician, and a year later he wrote his first opera - or at least the first act, after which the cook, his librettist, ran out of ideas! He initially worked as an organist, and even though he later focused on other areas, organ compositions are found throughout his oeuvre. Rudolf Innig's complete recording of these works offer enthralling insights into the development of Barber's full and rich life as a composer. Barber generally displayed a predilection for fine emotionality. His last organ work is a chorale prelude to ''Silent Night, Holy Night,'' a carol also very popular in the United States. However, whether the floating 7/8 time and bi-tonal harmony really gets us into the Christmas spirit - now that is another matter!