Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

Organ Solo

By Samuel Barber

Very clean copy and easy to read. There seems to be no apparent errors. Quick delivery and no damage.

I play this on the piano, and find it difficult-to-impossible because of the missing bass pedals. The music sounds extremely modern to my ears, but also hauntingly expressive. I know of nothing like it and am enjoying playing it.

I used this as an extended postlude in a Palm Sunday service and the congregation was enthralled. Experiment with using a very light reed, or cremona (clarinet) stop to bring out the inside voices in the left hand on page 2 & 3. By page three people forget they're listening...

to the organ. Not easy, but worth every minute of practice. Plus, you get to fall asleep to a very melodramatic soundtrack that you can't get out of your head....

Deceptively simple; in reality, a complex and meticulous rendering that is true to the original. In practicing for our 9/11/11 service, I find myself focusing on manual and registration changes. Notes problems are related to ties and durations, not finding the notes. I have listened carefully to recordings...

--the "Mother Church" one on youtube is excellent and is an accurate and splendid rendition. I will rarely perform it, but my practice sessions alone leave me feeling like I've had a good massage: a peaceful lump of jelly.

This is one of my all-time favorite pieces. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! It is thus captivating and soul-stirring. When played on the proper organ, it is remarkable how close you can make this sound like the original (using a vast string division). It is very possible as I've discovered...

to play this on something as small as a two manual organ with no string stops on one of the manuals. (ie, use strings on the swell and a soft flute on the great.) It is a bit challenging for amateur organists due to the extreme technique needed to play extremely legato and sustained. Great addition to any collection of solos.