Barber's Adagio for Strings
Conductor Leonard Slatkin reflects on the potent impact of the adagio that became America's 'national funeral music'. From 2002.
When Samuel Barber wrote his Adagio at the age of 26 he described it as "a knockout!" but he could never have anticipated that it would become America's "national funeral music".
Leonard Slatkin talks about conducting it at the Last Night of the Proms after 11 September.
Dana Captiano describes hearing it on a road trip across America and George Little describes hearing it as his mother died.
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact.
Produced by Rosie Boulton
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2002.
On radio
Credit
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Composer | Samuel Barber |
Broadcasts
- Fri 4 Dec 201518:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 5 Dec 201500:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 21 Jul 202018:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 22 Jul 202000:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 20 Mar 202610:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 20 Mar 202616:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 21 Mar 202600:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem
Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.
Podcast
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Soul Music
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact
