An Insight Into Samuel Barber's Adagio For Strings by Bjorn Shen

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An Insight Into Samuel Barber’s Adagio For Strings What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief?

Bjorn Shen 2014

#

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Abstract: What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant affecting soundtrack associated to grief?

The aim of this essay is to explore specific aspects that contribute to the Adagio’s association with grief and consider if it was Barber’s intention to do so. The essay is centralized around analysis of the score along with research into other similar pieces of “emotive” music. An interview was also conducted with philosopher David Elliot to gain further insight. The first section focuses on the Adagio’s simplicity to create poignancy through analysis of Barber’s use of Bb as a constant throughout the piece, the construction of melody, and the arch-form structure. This is supported by analysis into pieces that use similar techniques and share the theme of tragedy. For instance, research discovered links  between Purcell’s use of descending chromatic scales and Barber’s use of descending melodies, which both fail to reach tonic resolution, evoking the theme of hopelessness. The second section of this essay delves into the Adagio’s final imperfect cadence and analyzes its significance to the overall theme of grief. The section then considers Barber’s choice of strings and use of extensive range to induce different timbres how this influences the mood of the piece. This focuses especially on Barber’s use of high range in in the climax, which evokes a harsh, stringent tone associable to an outcry. The overall research concluded that the piece’s associated pathos is induced by a combination of elements such as Barber’s exploitation of tension caused by suspensions and dissonance, his use of Bb as a constant, his choice of instrumentation and his manipulation of range to create different timbres.

#

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contents: Page Introduction

4

Chapters: 1. The Art of Simplicity 1.1 A Single Note 1.2 Melody 1.3 Structure

5 9 14

2. Atmosphere 2.1 The Imperfect Cadence 2.2 Instrumentation 2.3 Timbre

22 23 25

Conclusion

27

Bibliography

28

$

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introduction: Samuel Barber’s Adagio For Strings is arguably the most evocative piece of 20th century American music ever written. Since its world premiere in 1938 by Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, it has frequently been adopted for occasions of mourning for example for the deaths of Albert Einstein, Princess Grace of Monaco and John F. Kennedy. Famous classical musician Alexander J. Morin wrote that it “rarely leaves a dry eye” 1. In modern society, the piece has constantly been adapted for tragic moments in films such as: The Elephant Man, Reconstruction, Platoon and Amelie. An entire book by Thomas Larson has even been written about the Adagio, regarding it in the tile as “the saddest music ever written” 2. When I interviewed musician, philosopher and professor David Elliot, he compared the musical elements - instrumentation, melody, harmony, and rhythmic devices - used in composition to the paints on an artist’s palette. In both cases, whether it is a painter choosing colors or a composer choosing sounds (or silence), the artists aim to evoke a response in the listener. 3 Barber’s true intention behind the Adagio is uncertain. No one will know exactly what Barber was trying to convey however the Adagio contains many musical characteristics that seize it associated with grief. This essay’s aim is to investigate why the Adagio is associated with poignancy by discerning and analyzing musical devices that contribute to the Adagio’s emotive mood. The first section focuses on the simplicity of the Adagio while the second section explores the final imperfect cadence and musical elements like timbre and instrumentation.

&

Morin, Alexander Classical Music: Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. (2001). Backbeat Books. p. Books. p. 74. # Larson, Thomas The Saddest Music Ever Written: The Story of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings"  . (2010). Pegasus Books. $ Elliot, David. A Composer's Intention. Personal interview. Beijing, 17 June 2014.

%

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1.1 The Art of Simplicity – A Single Note

!"#$ &'( )'*+,*-. /0$&&1 23'#"4 55$ &67

The Adagio opens with a Bb played by the 1st Violins in pianissimo, which immediately forces the listener to engage with the piece (m.1, Fig. 1a4). The 1st Violins are in a middle range and play the Bb in a cantando manner introducing the note with a pure and tender quality. The listener is drawn in as the lingering single note in pianissimo expressively crescendos. This is a slow process, as the one note seems to last for eternity emphasized  by the violins (m.1) playing in a slow legato, giving the sense that the opening Bb is hopeless, or even emotionless.

%

Barber, Samuel. Adagio F or String s Op.11. 1936. New York. 1939. by G. Schirmer, Inc.

'

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!"#$ &' 8  )'*+,*-. /0$&&1 23'#"4 55$ &67

The mood is ambiguous as the Bb lingers in a void. However, Barber allows the Bb to crescendo until it is joined by the rich chord of “Ebm7” (m.1, Fig. 1a5) shifting the mood into a state of melancholy as Bb becomes the 5th of the chord. This melancholy is further established once the dominant chord F enters (m.2), creating harmonic tension, as the “Bb” becomes a dissonant note, clashing with the A. It then resolves down a semitone creating relief. The 4-3 suspension creates anticipation for resolution and sets out the harmonic language for the rest of the piece.

'

Barber, Samuel. Adagio F or String s Op.11. 1936. New York. 1939. by G. Schirmer, Inc.

(

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A similar tension-resolution effect can be heard in the opening of “Crucifixus” by Lotti from the Renaissance period as a stimulus to create emotional strain (Fig. 1b6). The piece opens with Bass 2, introducing the motif Eb, C then G. The motif is imitated except Bass 1 leaps to Ab (m.3) creating unease because of the clash between Ab and G, then acts as a suspension downwards to D resolving at measure 4. The dissonance created by the clash  portrays a sense of agony of the crucifixion of Christ.

!"#$ &+ 7 9*:;" V"'T4@@41 W,54 55$ &6 7

!"#$ 8;BB )'*+,*-. /0$&&1  23'#"4 55$ E6&D

$#

Mi nore. 1958. n.d. Matmati, Jawher  Giazotto Remo (Albinoni, Tomaso), Adagio i n Sol Minore. $$ Barber, Samuel. Adagio F or String s Op.11. 1936. New York. 1939. by G. Schirmer, Inc.

#%

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2.3 Atmosphere –Timbre

Barber’s utilization of extensive range is arguably one of the central reasons for the  piece’s association with grief. A prime example of this is seen in the cello part. Throughout the whole piece, the cellos are played in a very high range, giving a forced, strident tone as seen in Fig. 6a34 the climax, where the cellos are starting on high C and even moves to Db above the octave which is extreme for the range of the cello. Similarly, the 1st violins (mm.50-54) are also in an extremely high range. Fig. 6a34 shows the climax where all the instruments play at the peak of their range, creating an extremely stringent, sawing sound that immediately associates the piece to an outcry of grief.

!"#$ 7'B( )'*+,*-. /0$&&1 23'#"4 55$ (E68(



%$Barber, Samuel. Adagio F or String s Op.11. 1936. New York. 1939. by G. Schirmer, Inc.

#'

What key musical elements in Samuel Barber’s Adagio have led to its frequent adoption as a poignant, affecting soundtrack associated with grief? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barber plays with both extremes of timbre. He opens the piece with a thin timbre (mm.1, Fig. 6b35 ), which is then immediately joined by a rich chord Ebm 7 with all the instruments playing in a comfortable range, creating a thick warm texture.

!"#$ 7+B8  )'*+,*-. /0$&&1 23'#"4 55$ &6B

In contrast, Fig. 6c35  measure 48-51 shows the other end of the spectrum, when the violins rise up to the tip of their range hitting the strained top Bb note. The Bb is played 2 octaves higher than the opening Bb creating a piercing almost screech like sound, which is directly associable with sorrowful outcry.

!"#$ 7;B8  )'*+,*-. /0$&&1 23'#"4 55$ (E68F

A similar use of extensive range is heard in the last measures of “Peripetie”, by Arnold Schoenberg’, symbolizing Schoenberg’s instable erratic state of emotions (Fig. 6d36). The sudden extensive leaps portray the chaotic state of Schoenberg characterizing his irrepressible, miserable temperament.

!"#$ 73 B7 J,*"0,@",