Samuel L. M. Barlow II

Samuel Latham Mitchell Barlow II (June 1, 1892 – September 19, 1982) was an American composer, pianist and art critic. His compositional style was conservative and he once said that he wrote “tunes that wouldn’t shock Papa Brahms.” But, his music frequently explored new performance techniques and practices; in addition, he used slide projections to accompany his 1936 symphonic concerto Babar. Early life and education Barlow was born in New York City on June 1, 1892. He was the second son of Peter Townsend Barlow, a New York City magistrate, and his wife Virginia Louise (Matthews). Her brother was author Brander Matthews. Barlow was named after his paternal grandfather, a prominent Wall Street attorney. Samuel’s older brother, Edward Mitchell Barlow, was named after their maternal grandfather, a successful merchant. Edward Barlow died in 1901 at the age of thirteen. Samuel Barlow graduated with the Harvard Class of 1914. Career Early in his career, Samuel Barlow taught at Settlement schools, contributed to the literary journal North American Review, and served as the first chairman of the New York City Community Chorus. Beginning in 1917, it presented free concerts on Sunday afterno