-->
  • Most Respected Classical Music Platform
  • #classicalForever
BREAKING
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter to Step Down
TOP
Samuel Barber Adagio

Barber's "Adagio For Strings" Premiered in 1938

The highly-emotive masterwork has been used in many somber moments in world history, including at the announcement of Franklin D. Roosevelt's death and the funerals of Albert Einstein and Princess Grace of Monaco

 

The piece was also featured in many TV shows and movies, including Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning film "Platoon."

The work is based on an ascending three-note motif and repeats it with various instruments taking turns with the deep, melancholy melody. Throughout the course of the work, the phrases become longer and move higher in range, provoking intensity and drama. There is a brief moment of silence before the last restatement of the theme.

Arturo Toscanini was credited for bringing the Adagio for Strings to wide public attention. Drawn by some of Barber’s other works, he asked the composer for music that his NBC Symphony could perform. Barber provided two short works, with Adagio for Strings as one of the two works.

The first performance was conducted by Arturo Toscanini with the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

 

VC ARTIST DOVER QUARTET | BARBER | 'ADAGIO' FOR STRINGS

upcoming events

february 2025

07febAll Day17International "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Chamber Music Competition(All Day) Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz, Leonhardstraße 15, A-8010 GrazEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Piano Trio Competition

14febAll Day22Jascha Heifetz International Violin Competition(All Day) Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Aušros Vartų g. 5 Vilnius, LithuaniaEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists

16febAll DayChicago National Chamber Music Competition(All Day: sunday) Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, 201 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, United StatesEvent Type :competitions Event Tagschamber music,competition

march 2025

15marAll DayMusic Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference(All Day: saturday) Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Ave. Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event Tagschamber music,Chamber Music America,Conferences,Music Teachers National Association National Conference

18marAll DayJohansen International String Competition(All Day: tuesday) Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DCEvent Type :competitions

19marAll DayAmerican String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference(All Day: wednesday) HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA, 265 Peachtree St Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event TagsAmerican String Teachers Association,American String Teachers Association National Conference,ASTA,conference

CONTACT US
x

Get ALL our latest conveniently by EMAIL

Our newsletter is trusted by over 100,000+ industry professionals around the world

We deliver news straight to your inbox and will never share your data.
You'll never miss a beat!

click left click right