Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber is a poignant and deeply emotional orchestral piece. Originally the second movement of Barber's String Quartet, Op. 11, the arrangement for string orchestra has become more famous.
The music is characterized by its slow tempo and expressive melodies, conveying a profound sense of sadness, longing, and introspection. The piece builds gradually in intensity, reaching moments of dramatic climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective conclusion.
While "Adagio for Strings" does not have a specific narrative or programmatic content, its evocative power has led to its use in various contexts, including film soundtracks and memorial services. The music's universal appeal is in its ability to evoke intense emotions and resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level, making it one of the most beloved and frequently performed pieces in the classical repertoire.
Letter notes
(A° F° D) (A° E° E) (G°# E°) (A° E°) (B° E°)
(G°# E° E) (A° E°) (B° E°) (A° E°) (B° E°) C°°
(A° F) B° (C°° A° F) (B° A°) (C°° A° F) D°° (B° G) A°
(A D) D (A E) G# (A E) (B E)
(G# E) (A E) (B E) (A E) (B E) (C° E)
(A F) (B F) (B F) C° (C° F) B (B F)
C° (D° F) (B G) G G G (A D) D D D
D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D
A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A
D A D A D A D A D A D A D A
D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A
D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D
A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A
D A D A D A D A D A D A D A D A
E A E A E A E A E G# E G# E G#
E G# E A E A E A E A E B E B E B E B
E G# E G# E G# E G# E A E A E
A E A E B E B E B E B E A E A E A E A
E B E B E B E B E C° E C° E C° E C°
Number notation
(6° 4° 2) (6° 3° 3) (5°# 3°) (6° 3°) (7° 3°) (5°# 3° 3) (6° 3°) (7° 3°) (6° 3°) (7° 3°) 1°°
(6° 4) 7° (1°° 6° 4) (7° 6°) (1°° 6° 4) 2°° (7° 5) 6°
(6 2) 2 (6 3) 5# (6 3) (7 3) (5# 3) (6 3) (7 3) (6 3) (7 3) (1° 3)
(6 4) (7 4) (7 4) 1° (1° 4) 7 (7 4) 1° (2° 4) (7 5) 5 5 5 (6 2) 2 2 2
2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6
2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6
2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6
2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6 2 6
3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 5# 3 5# 3 5# 3 5# 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7
3 5# 3 5# 3 5# 3 5# 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 6
3 7 3 7 3 7 3 7 3 1° 3 1° 3 1° 3 1°
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