Saddest Song Ever, Barber's Adagio, Theme from Platoon, Andrzej Kucybała conductor 

I love this beautiful music which brings back memories of my good friends killed in Vietnam back in 1970. We were young and thought that we were invincible. We flew combat missions as helicopter door gunners in support of U..S. ground troops. Some "choppers" got shot down in the course of the year I was there. I was very fortunate though there were several close calls while flying combat assaults in enemy territory. I will always take time to listen to this music with much sadness and reverence to the memory of my fallen comrades. Door gunner, 119th Assault Helicopter Company, Camp Galloway (Pleiku) and Camp Radcliff ( An Khe). II Corps South Vietnam.

As our helicopter lifted away from our company outpost in Kandahar province in 2011, I heard this song in my head and tears flowed down my cheeks. In one year, I had seen men I was responsible for perish. I had seen the cruel suffering of the local population and at times had participated in their suffering. Shrapnel had found its way into my legs, and I witnessed the most heroic and selfless acts by men who were little more than boys. We just tried to survive, and not everyone did. Some lost their lives, some their limbs, and many their minds. I pray I may never have to kill or harm another human being as long as I live. When that helicopter left and carried me on the first leg of the long journey home, I felt as though we had all left something there. I could not think of what that was until years later, but eventually I realized it was our innocence. May peace and mercy prevail in a world so easily consumed by hatred and fear. May God forgive us all for the hardness in our hearts.

I am 71 in the Autumn of my years. I lost beloved wife 4 years ago and my childhood friend 5 years ago. It doesn't take much to get the tears going when I listen to this music.

My time in Vietnam ended in 1971. My memories are sadly as fresh today as they were 53 years ago. Those of us who served in that conflict will never forget what we saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and endured at such an impressionable age in our lives. Weep as I do hearing this musical arrangement, I am moved beyond words by this tribute to all who served and died on both sides of that war. They say that with age comes wisdom and understanding. Now in my seventies, I have gained much wisdom, but to this day I will never understand the need for the horrors inflicted upon the living and dead of that war.

My sons both came home highly damaged from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The oldest was medically retired after fourteen years of service. The youngest, ended his life at age twenty-six. His death certificate lists PTSD as the second cause of death. These wars were beyond tragic, and many of us will never recover from the loss. 💔

As a 78-year-old disabled Vietnam Veteran, I weep every time I hear this most beautiful composition. I weep for the dead and my fellow wounded, and every person who has ever suffered for war.

“When you arise in the morning, remember what a wonderful gift it is to be alive. To think, to enjoy, to breathe, to love.” Marcus Aurelius

My daughter played violin in a very good symphony when a much-loved middle-aged violinist died of cancer. He was my daughter's violin coach and a wonderful man. They played this piece at his memorial service with so much sorrow and feeling. When the music stopped, all you could hear were symphony members crying on stage and most of the audience crying too. The saddest thing I have heard in my life.

Reading all the comments just breaks my heart. I pray you all find comfort and peace. If no one has told you today that they love you, just know I do and will always keep you all in my prayers, no matter what you may believe in. ❤❤❤❤

I’m already 81 and the memories fade…. I was in Nam, 1965-67, a Vet, not at risk but seeing others who were, then came home, made a new friend who got drafted in 1969, and never came home…. Years later I went to see this movie, wept…. And then years after that, went to The Wall on a misty Sunday morning, alone but for my son who wisely stepped away as I searched for Dave’s name…. And I wept again, not just for Dave but for the incredible tragedy we endured back then. I’ve never seen this movie or any others about the conflict since then. Sometimes you just need to cry, then package it up, and try to live your life.

I was a young man (18 y/o) in the U. S. Air Force & was a medic. My first casualty was a young man with no head though the back of his scalp was still attached & his R ear was still seen. He had his R leg & arm missing with his L leg flipped up & tucked upwards towards his chest. The neck bones were protruding up out of what remained of his neck. On, what looked like his L hand, was what I thought was his wedding ring. I fought back tears to preform what little was left to do for him. I didn't sleep for 2 wks. This was of course one of many. To this day I am unable to watch these type of movies without an emotional reaction. My family tries not to let me see war movies with the carnage left by it as I end up back there myself again😢. Thank to ALL who served & I still call my brothers & sisters My true friends. God bless you all.

I will never forget the night I met an angel while lying in a hospital bed in Bien Hoa airbase outside of Saigon in 1968. It was a Dark night and with in IV in my arm and not able to move when the base came under another rocket attack with 102 mm and mortar rounds. I could see by the red vail of tracer rounds in a dance of death outside the window that Spooky was busy that evening on our perimeter. Laying there in the dark alone I noticed the light from a flare on the face of a beautiful young lady who appeared from the dark like an angel. As a third rocket exploded nearby she came to the side of my bed and covered me with her body while whispering quietly, “ I’m protecting you now, don’t worry”. She was a young candy stripper nurse assistant who remembered that I was in the ward alone when the rockets fell and decided I should not spend that night alone. We were both very young and she left after the attack was over in the dark of night. I do not know her name and have always regretted not being able to thank her for the kindness, courage and love she provided on that night so long ago.

I understand why everyone talks about how sad this song makes them feel, but I think we are all missing something with the beauty of this piece. There is a point in the music where the notes get higher and higher and when you feel like the notes can't get any higher, they go one note higher! Its beautiful! It reminds me of our resilience, strength, and joy! Remember, out of the darkness, no matter how deep, comes light!

The Adagio for Strings had been composed long before the Vietnam War, even before the Second World War, so although it was popularised by the soundtrack in Platoon, to me it is a homage to the victims of the horror of all wars.

You can’t wait to leave. When you do leave , you feel a deep sadness, like you’re leaving your family. You get home, rejoice with your family, spouse and children. Then you lay down in your bed for the first time in 11 months, and you wish you were back there. Every day you are thankful you’re home, but you miss the place you couldn’t wait to leave. A year or three later you go back, repeat the same experience, but it gets harder to leave, it gets harder to not want to go back. Several more times you do this, and in the end, all you think about is being there, guilt over wanting to go back instead of being with your family. You miss your brothers, you miss it all. And one day you wake up, your children are grown, you realize you missed them growing up, it was all right there for you to see and all you saw was the past. More guilt. One day you wake up and decide, you’re going to stop looking back, you’re going to appreciate all that’s around you, you’re going to talk to your family, your children, your grandchildren. You’re going to start living the life that your brothers can’t, live it for them, and you’re going to earn their sacrifice. That’s how you honor them, how you honor your family who waited for you every time you left, stayed up at night praying you’d come home safe, who stood beside you through it all. You still think about the past, you still miss it, you still miss your brothers… but you are living for them, you are loving for them, and you are thankful for them and your family for all you have experienced and all you have. I miss you my friends, thank you, I’ll keep living life to the fullest in honor of you all and those that came before you

In memory of Staff Sgt Estel Spakes, a dedicated soldier and father, killed in Vietnam while saving the lives of the other soldiers in his platoon. You are, and have been missed for 56 years. Always loved and remembered......never forgotten.

I am a Vietnam Veteran. Watching the movie 'Platoon' was difficult. But at the end, when this piece began to play, it was not possible to hold back the tears, and it took me by surprise. It just released the pent up emotions that have been compartmentalized away for decades. But it may surprise some of you to know that Adagio for Strings was also used in the 1980 movie, The Elephant Man' directed by David Lynch. It was played in the end scene of the movie where John Merrick lays down on his bed, knowing it will end his life since because of his deformity he always had to sleep sitting up. And through the scene, the piece also brought out the raw emotions. This magnificent piece is timeless.

My brother in law, an Irish, Catholic kid from East Los Angeles went to Nam as a happy, wide-eyed, life-loving, young man. That person never came home. He just recently passed away peacefully during an Uber ride home from visiting with his twin grandsons. He suffered violent nightmares and PTSD. He never talked about Nam and he drank heavily until he passed. Whenever I hear this music, I think of him and wonder about the inanities of war. Freedom isn't free and only the dead have seen the end of war. God bless our vets and all who serve in our armed forces.

I think about my 243 brothers who didn't come home with me from Beirut. This music is a comfort, so beautiful.

Just reading the commemts...... i found the place where lost souls come to realize we all have found the darkness and are still despritly seeking the light...... war and being a medic during, has left me lost in life. Stay well brothers and sisters

It's so tragic that humans are capable of creating such beautiful music, art, sculpture, architecture etc, and yet are also capable of such devastating acts of war and cruelty to their fellow humans. It's enough to make you weep for our species. 😪🇬🇧

Written by Barber in the late 30s … these polish children showing the respect and reverence to this incredible piece in a country that suffered so much during the war. I swear …. Barber knew what was coming ….. just brilliant

My Uncle passed yesterday. Served in Vietnam 1970-1971. Near the Cambodian border. Agent orange destroyed his physical body but never his spirit. He will always be rembered and loved by his family and buddies. This music is his goodbye.

A credit to the youth of this orchestra to produce such beautiful emotive music.

I have terminal cancer. I asked our church organist if she knew Barber's Adagio bc I want it played at my funeral. It is one of my favorite pieces of music. Organist said she knows it and playns to have it played at her funeral. One evening I had her play it for me. My wife and the organist teared up. I had a satisfied smile on my face.

At 25, I heard the beauty of a restrained romanticism in this piece, now at 76 I hear only the pain. Perhaps that is what it means to grow up.

I was 15 years old when the film Platoon was released...my father served in Vietnam. 1965-67. Like many veteran families, my dad brought a little of the war home with him. So in a way, we are all part veterans. This music made me cry in the cinema as I watched this amazing film. This music is chilling to me to hear and thanks to Oliver Stone, it will always represent the unimaginable waste and loss of our young. "Rejoice o' young man, in thy youth." Indeed! Thanks Dad...and all who served and gave their lives for us. Lest We Forget. 🙏

It reminds me of my days in the Corps , my wife dying , my son getting shot dead , my medical issues , and caring for my younger son who suffers from schizophrenia...slow motion...i will never throw any of it away , never let go...never...

Served in the US army from 69 to 72….this music and the movie Platoon really captures the time and how it changed many lives….thankful to find this video by accident…..now 78 and still wearing my dog tags….

Before Platoon , this piece was played during JFK’s funeral. I was in college in Canada and was so moved how the Canadian people stopped everything, cancelled classes and tuned in as reverently as any American. As this piece played during the ceremonies, there was absolute silence and respect. Also served during the Viet Nam era, lost a number of good friends and refuse to this day to talk much about that time. I would like to think it humbled us as a nation and contributed to a more enlightened perspective, but alas, wishful thinking. Thank you to these students for this performance. It gives pause and a moment of helpful reflection. Beautiful.

As a Australian ex Viet Vet saved with the 6th this music brings back so many bad memories of mates I left behind and the horrific times we went through.

I think of my son Matthew he had a heart attack at 41 he was not in the. service but he was my son and I love him and miss just the same as any parent would service or not

We arrived damaged... we left broken ... and we are still healing ... more than 50 years later I see their faces, their fears, their laughter ... and pray they found peace ... in the arms of God ... welcome home ...

This music pulls my heart in 2 directions. One side feels the deep respect and pride in the young men who served. My other side aches for my two brothers. The one who died there and my other brother who came home a broken man. Vietnam was such a travesty and a terrible tragedy to those who served. God bless them all.☮️🇺🇸

For a very young group of musicians, they nailed it perfectly.

So beautiful. My father a Vet from WW2 came home….and listened to classical music long into the night for years. He drank, went in n out of Walter Reed….and finally somewhat stabilized. Mother said that he never again was the man that she had married. He did not talk about the war. He was emotionally distant and also a very sensitive man. Well read. I miss him. So many things I would like to ask him. He would be 108 this year. 💜 Ahna

I’m a Vietnam vet. I was with my young son and wife watching platoon. It was all I could do to hide the trembling and tears from them during the Adagio. Could not control my emotions. A beautiful performance.

I served in the US Army from 1969 to 1971. The feelings for each person who served in that period can't be explained to those who never went through it. A number of years later I visited the Viet Nam memorial in Washington DC with full knowledge that I could just as easily have been one of the names carved into the stone wall. I should have felt lucky to still have been alive but all I could feel was sadness about the thousands of dead and shattered lives destroyed by that useless war. All I could do was break into tears. I left, and never went back.

Reading all these comments is making me cry as much as the beautiful symphony does. It goes to show you that our soul knows the horror and futility of all war. The elites that refuse diplomacy and cause the wars that the common man and woman fight. My prayers are to everyone ever who has served their country and/or who has lost someone to the war that should have never been theirs to fight. God speed and may you be comforted as you weep for those you loved and lost.

As a Vietnam Vet, I truly believe that every veteran from every conflict is deserving of a Purple Heart. Physical wounds can take your life but mental and emotional wounds can take your soul.

To veterans everywhere who have fought for your country, I salute you. From a retired Aussie armoured corps soldier.

Sadly, these days , we don’t take the time to appreciate beautiful music or the written word enough. Time to make the time .

I think about Vietnam and my fallen classmates everyday. I mourn their loss but give praise and thanks for their example of selfless service.

Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings is one of the most important pieces of music written. This orchestra performed the adagio with flawless execution. Cheers to all of you!

When I hear this Music I cry I miss my older brother born 3-5-48 kia 3-5-67 9th Marines. I remember trembling and trying to hold back tears when I present the flag to our Mom. The only words I could say to her were I'm sorry. I believe that I am still here today because he paid the price that covered my time in country. We were Grunts. SEMPER FI

As a Med Evac pilot in Vietnam, Barber's Adagio comes the closest to any music I ever heard that expresses the sadness I feel the for all my fellow brothers who died, some still MIA, and all those wounded by the war both physically and mentally. Oliver Stone, who also served in Vietnam, could not have picked a better piece of music to express those feelings, and these young musicians played it beautifully.

You know the madest thing is, I've never even seen Platoon? My God, I'm weeping here. What a fantastic piece of music. Bravo to everyone who was involved. Goodnight all from Hertfordshire, England.

I was in Vietnam 1968-1969 with the infantry. This movie was the best depiction of the war. I went to a theater with my wife. I was back in Nam, I could feel it, smell it, and the sounds were all too real. At the end when the lights came on there was complete silence in the theater. Finally, I could hear people standing. I rose and turned the place was filled with veterans all with a strange look but silent as they left. Later in my truck my wife asked me if I was ok because she was frightened by the look on my face and the looks on the guys surrounding us. I never watched it again. I don't remember this music or any music from that movie.

Vietnam Veteran here and every day I live with the thoughts of combat and the memories of that time and place. That I survived is no consolation, but a burden. When I saw a friends name on the wall years after the war it hit me. I remember the quotation, “Only the dead have seen the end of war". That sums it up for me.

The people of Poland understand the absolute sadness of war more than most of us in America. Amazing performance by the children of the survivors of the horrors of World War Two. Thank you

To all of you special individuals who put it on the line for those of us at home: Thank you so very much for your sacrifices, without which we would not be the nation we are. Always know you have many friends and are not alone. Never forget. 😢❤

I can understand sadness from this, but there is such beauty and depth to this that the music tells its own story

As a musician, it still blows my mind how this music comes to people and they compose it. The sequence and harmony. We have so much to offer as a species if we don’t destroy ourselves first.

This was written by an American in 1940, on the cusp of WW II. 6 million Poles died during WW II. 20% of the prewar population. This comes to mind as I watch these lovely children play a moving elegy to all those who died. For those of us that remember.

Imagine sitting down at a table with a blank peace of paper and a pencil and putting all this together, surely the mind of master craftman , incredibly unique. Stops me in my tracks every time i hear it .

This is NOT a sad musical number. It is tranquil and soothing and beautiful.

The Polish are such cultured and beautiful People, you touched me to the center of my soul with this beautiful masterpiece... thank you!

My father was called up aged 19 in 1939 to fight in WW2 His father fought in WW1, the emotional pain is never understood properly by family. We , his son and daughter, only as we became adults started to realise his moods were unresolved issues from his experiences. The horror still goes on around the world. When will we ever learn, When will we ever learn.

It makes me think of the pain of losing someone and the sweet relief of being free from this world. Simultaneous anguish and peace. Intense and soothing, absolutely exquisite music.

I served, but not in Vietnam. I never had to face the elephant. I cry every time I hear this piece. I remember the friends I had just a a year or two older than me, some of whom did not come back. God keep them all.

I don't know if this is the saddest song ever but it is certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.

Very beautiful, mesmerizing , thank you! I served in Vietnam 69/70 mostly in the Central Highlands. The beauty of this music belies the insanity of a species that sends its young off to slaughter and to be slaughtered.

A beautiful arrangement makes me reflect on my 13 months in the Northern I Corps from 1968 to 1969, the Tet Offensive and Khe Sanh.

Even without any context, this music makes me cry, uncontrollably.

I’m a Marine from 69-71 and I love this music. I can’t explain how much it means to me.

Thank you sir for your service to our country. My dad was a pilot and did two tours in Vietnam. He lost two friends in the course of the war. We buried him at the age of 95 last year (2022). He was still taking care of his own business. I think he died of a broken heart. Within 18 months he buried 3 sons( all military) from complications of Covid and within those 18 months we ( my remaining siblings and I ) buried him next to our mother also a veteran (RN). My sister and I were the only girls with 7 brothers. Out of the remaining 6 four are veterans and also pilots. This music 🎵 is beautiful.

As an older person, when I watch and listen and see these wonderful young, talented artist, It gives me a whole new outlook for the world

As a young musician I cried the first time I played Pomp and Circumstance. (I'm that person that gets emotional with music). My dad loved this piece. I can only now...15 years after his passing listen to this without breaking into a full ugly cry. Such a powerfully sad & beautiful work of art. 🕊️❤️

Adagio for Strings; In my opinion, the most beautiful piece of music ever written.

I played a symphonic band version of this in junior high. A student in the year ahead of mine, a band mate from the previous year who had matriculated on to high school, was having some problems at home. His parents had divorced some time prior and his mother had remarried. He didn't get along well with his step father. So after an argument during the Christmas break of his 9th grade (my 8th grade) year, he found his step father's revolver and used it to end his own life. Our band director selected this as our primary piece for that year's concert season. It was a little late in the year for a new piece and he felt it was probably a little past our skill level but. He said as much on our initial sight reading and let us choose whether to take it on. The festival judges that year rated our performance as "superior" but I think it was more along the lines of heartfelt and motivated. Over 30 years later, when I hear this piece I can still see his wavy hair and wide smile. And despite not being particularly close as friends, it still brings a lump to my throat. He had barely even entered his teen years. Life could have had so much to offer. RIP Josh. At least your suffering stopped.

My God music can be so damn powerful, but this is on a rare level that very few compositions find themselves. Hauntingly nostalgic, absolutely paralyzing.

This is the sound of the moment when you remember what has passed and that miniscule moment you have left to grieve before it all fades into the night.

I am the son of a Vietnam veteran. My father was very open about the war. I am now 49 years old and understand my dad a little better. He was just a boy when he was sent there. His stories were always about the good times and when I got older he told me some of the bad stories. I didn't understand what an effect the war had on my father and my family. There are scars that will never heal from wounds that happened in Vietnam and at home. Welcome home Dad.

These musicians are little more than children but OMG, the talent and skill is utterly fabulous!! Bravo!!

What absolute talent. The countless hours of practice. This is real music. The emotion it brings is astounding. Thank you.

I have never been to war. I first heard this piece while taking a lunch break from a monthly circuit of my clients for a small life assurance company. I was sitting in my car overlooking the quay of a small South Coast town listening to a then new radio station, Classic FM. I was in my forties, married, four children and believed myself to be be emotionally self-contained. I wept.

This brings tears to my eyes & heart. I was lucky to make it back. My older brother was not. MIA Oct 65. P-02E/L-101 . I see his face & a too many buddies in this song. I miss them every day.

the kids played it beautifully; thank you all

Some may think it's sad, but I think it's beautiful and magnificent.

My husband served in Vietnam 69-70. He was a helicopter pilot and IP as well. The stories he told me were remarkable, sad, heroic, brave, and a young man’s duty. He served proudly and would always get emotional w any patriotic music or tribute. This music is emotional to the core. You feel tears shed for all who lost their lives and those who came home broken, injured or cut short of life from exposure to chemicals. Retired Captain, in Army 7/17th. A military brat so it came natural to serve. He is sorely missed each day. 🇺🇸❤️

USMC sniper 1968 with 5th Marines got there two weeks before TET . This music describes perfectly what was felt in the heart to see so many fall.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL...IT APPEARS THAT NONE OF THE MEMBERS WERE OLD ENOUGH TO EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE MOVIE PLATOON...BUT THEY PLAYED IT BEAUTIFULLY......THANK YOU ALL MAY GOD BLESS I WAS THERE, SPECIAL FORCES

True story. My wife & I had booked a bus tour of Southeast Asia because we wanted to see Thailand. Shortly before we left, we were in a support group meeting and were asked where we were going. I (jokingly, I thought) said we were going to SE Asia because I didn't get the free trip in the 70's. One of the fellows spoke up telling me, "you could have had my ride!" Wow. That shut me up. I had nothing to be cocky about. My younger brother went, served in the Army in the field. was wounded and had to make up for the time in hospital recovery. He passed away in June, 2023 from just being tired of it all, just quit. He had a hard life after Viet Nam. I learned at his memorial that he was awarded 2 bronze stars & 2 purple hearts for pulling two wounded soldiers to safety under fire. He never spoke of it. He was a good man who raised 2 good sons. God Bless

Oboe in G minor, that is what is what it was described on the sound track. My husband wishes it played in the distance, 1,000 yards away at his funeral. Soft at first and then rising to a crescendo so that the attendants will hear nothing else but their breathing and heartbeats. He will not go silently into that good night. He will instead rage against the dying of the light. My hero husband.

Remembering my dad , he wanted this song played at his funeral… love you daddy…

As a vascular surgeon for 12 months with Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Helmand Province (2009-10) I never have forgot the paralyzing sadness and sorrow I witnessed amongst young Marines, soldiers and sailors who were killed and terribly wounded. I never slept before midnite as I was too afraid to wake up early and think about what my eyes had seen that day and the attempts we all made to minimize suffering and still see young men, our children's age leave wrapped in our nation's flag. Afghanistan is truly "Where Even Jesus Came to Cry".

It's astonishing to me how young all those musicians appear to be and how mature their playing is. Phenomenal.

Just look at them young people, just look, so, so, gifted. You must make your parents proud every day ❤❤

To see this group of young men and women playing such a moving piece, it gives me hope not all is lost...

My 80 year old fought in Vietnam, I was a Marine; and we both have that thousand yard stare.

No Service here, no suffering, no family loss since WWI. But this made me cry.

I saw Platoon all those years ago. My grandfather was in the 1st world war. My dad and his two brothers served during Korea and one of his brothers returned in a flag draped coffin. This music brings me to tears every time I hear it or even think about it. Thank you to everyone who served or is serving in our military ❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Music... the most powerful and universal language in the world. This piece is magnificent.

We played this in high School orchestra. It is haunting, gorgeous. While practicing, the more uplifting parts were like a religious experience, we had skylights in the orchestra room, and the sun would peek out often from the clouds above!

Just noticed that the musicians are all so young and they played so beautifully.

A song for the immense suffering humanity casts on humanity

One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed.

Beautifully done, there are some very young players in this orchestra. They all play beautifully.

Out of this tortured world comes this music to bring us the sadness God must feel for our sins. Yet this music is also a beautiful rose with a fragrance that goes deep into our soul to remind us how beautiful life can be if we just let it beautiful.

My siser past away from cancer yesterday ,hering this song i have flashbacks of her life in my mind , love you sister for ever in my thoughts,till we meet again.