Barber's Adagio for Strings

It's a piece that is a favorite of movie soundtrack composers. But did you know where it first came from?

This famous piece was actually a second movement in a string quartet, written for two violins, one viola, and one cello. It was such a sensational hit that Barber ended up rescoring it for full string orchestra and called it the "Adagio for Strings." He also made an arrangement for mixed voices. This version is much the same as the string orchestra version, except that the name changed to Agnus Dei.

It is hard to say which version I like better...string orchestra vs. mixed voices. I will say though that each has its own intensity and emotional content. It is the same notes, but the medium is so much different that hearing the two versions, one gets a sense of two different ideas/emotions that are portrayed.

This is the beauty of music and the uniqueness which it inherently has.

I have posted the string orchestra AND the mixed voices versions for you to hear and decide upon yourself!