Samuel Barber: “Adagio for Strings”

An American Neo-Romantic Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was an American composer of orchestra, vocal, and opera works. Even though he lived well into the modern period, Barber wrote in a late-Romantic style that was very lyrical and expressive. “I write what I feel. It is said that I have no style at all, but that doesn’t matter. I just go on doing my thing. I believe this takes a certain courage.” Despite his resistance to the pressure to “go modern,” his music was very successful with both critics and the public.

An Unnamed Grief At only age 26, Barber’s 2nd movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11 attracted the attention of the great symphony conductor Arturo Toscanini, which he quickly arranged for full orchestra. Retitled “Adagio for Strings,” the piece was premiered in 1938 and was immediately praised for its “pathos & cathartic passion.” “Pathos”: Evoking deep pity or sadness. “Cathartic”: Allowing the release and thereby relief from strong, repressed emotions. “Adagio for Strings” does not tell any particular story, but it expresses the grieving process in a very poignant way.

Cultural Impact “Adagio for Strings” has been considered one of the most popular orchestral works of the 20th century. It is frequently performed in concerts, and has also been played in a number of movies and events: Played in connection with a number of funerals including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Albert Einstein, Princess Diana, the victims of 9/11, and the victims of the “Charlie Hebdo” terrorist attacks. In several movies including Platoon (1986) and The Scarlet Letter (1995). It was remixed into popular “trance” style by MC’s like William Orbit. In 2004, British audiences named it the “Saddest Classical Piece Ever.”

Form “Adagio for Strings” starts with a single, soft note played by the violins that is soon joined by a couple painful chords. After the chords settle, the violins begin a sorrowful and meandering climbing melody, as if reaching to climb out of the despair. Soon, however, it gives up and settles back down into despair. This “climbing and falling” episode repeats four times, becoming longer on each until on the fourth it builds sufficiently to reach a powerful, passionate climax on four chords and then drops into silence. After the pause, the harmony swings around a bit until it regains the original sorrowful melody and then slowly fades away, resolving (kind of) on a major chord.

Listening Activity Journal Write: As you listen to this piece, relax your mind and body, and follow each episode as the melody rises and falls. Experience and write about whatever emotion comes to you from the music. What about the music do you think is contributing to these emotions? Be ready to talk about it afterwards. https://youtu.be/zbT_y-z5P18