Composed in 1942, Barber's "Second Essay" is a masterwork of concentrated musical drama, with a richness of texture comprised of highly charged and succinctly organized musical modules. The opening theme has a definite American flavor, which is followed by a fugal section that evolves from simple tonal patterns to polytonality. After an intensely rhythmic third section, all elements are combined in a huge climax and coda that round off the work. Expertly transcribed for symphonic band by Dr. Geo...