When I was a college student, I watched this movie (Platoon) in Shibuya, Tokyo after a banquet one day. I was very drunk, but when I started watching this work, I was immediately drawn to it. I didn't have time to feel drowsy until the end of the work. It's a good memory of my school days. I still have the feelings of those days.😷
So many people describing this music as "sad". I dunno....it seems so much more than that. It encompasses so many human emotions. I feel that 'contemplative' or 'introspective' are more fitting than 'sad'. While futility is present in the melody, hope and majesty are subtly intertwined in a profoundly realistic manner. Something about this piece strikes a chord with the soul of humankind and/or all biological life. It remains one of my favorite classical pieces...though ironically, I'm a percussionist.
The presence of the Viola and how it grows in this composition simply makes me breathless, it's a very deep emotional instrument. But no doubt the other stringed instruments are not far behind.
This music impact's the entire humanity not only in our galaxy, but the entire universe. Each note serves in the awakening of our consciousnesses. It is like the whole creation is crying to be liberated from million years of imprisonment.
Beautiful.Samuel Barber must have been a wonderful man to write this music. We should all listen to it often and try to help everyone by showing kindness to all living creatures.
In about 1969 my sister, a young cellist, came back from a Summer at the Music Academy of the West and she had played the Adagio while there. She immediately bought the LP with Ormandy & the. Philadelphians and it became an overnight hit in the family and a favorite ever since. It is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous pieces for strings of the 20th Century. Toscanini was the first to play the orchestral version with the NBC Symphony back in the '40's and allegedly took it on tour to South America where he used it as an encore for concerts presented in Argentina. Sir Simon's direction with the unparalleled BPO is a wonderful video souvenir of what has become, for me, a "desert island" piece of music.
I know there are tears in it. But, when I hear it I hear the glorious love of my beloved husband. I almost cannot stand it, as he is gone now. Still, it is the beauty of him that I hear most. The beauty of us.
Sir Simon Rattle is certainly one of the top conductors in the world today. He always manages to get the best out the orchestras he conducts, especially at this performance.
This majestic and solemn melody is a heartfelt gift from Samuel Barber to us . This piece soothes our despondent feedings . Samuel Barber himself is a great gift from God to us . From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵