DOWNLOAD

BARBER – Adagio (1936) – 5 SOLO CELLOS OR CELLO ORCHESTRA

Other Identification:
Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings is a famous 1936 composition for string orchestra, originally the slow movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11. Barber later arranged it for a string orchestra, and this version was premiered by the NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1938, conducted by Arturo Toscanini.

Known for its deeply emotional and melancholic tone, it has been used in ceremonies and funerals, as well as featured in films like ‘The Elephant Man’ and ‘Platoon’. The piece builds to an intense climax before a final, serene silence and is considered one of the most moving works in American music.

Movements or sections:
The piece is known for its extended melodic line, which builds slowly and dramatically, often described as moving from profound sadness to an intense climax and then a calm, serene acceptance.

The Adagio has frequently been used in times of national mourning and at funerals for prominent figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Princess Diana.

Instrumentation:
QUINTET OF FIVE SOLO CELLOS
or
ORCHESTRA OF CELLOS IN FIVE VOICES

Downloads of 2 PDFs:
[1 – General Score
[2 – All individual parts

Approximate difficulty:
MEDIUM to DIFFICULT
Difficult for maintaining a beautiful sound on long sustaining bows – otherwise the playing register is quite comfortable for cellists in this ‘Johnstone’ tonality!

Links (Audio – Visual), and known performances given by:
the German solo cellist Johannes Möser has recorded this version, playing all five parts himself.

Go back to this section and continue searching for more music

Go to COLLECTION POINT to receive all selected items

Poster of Johnstone-Music

Who plays Johnstone-Music?

Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

Free sheet music

Instantly download a wide variety of scores – from cello solos and chamber works to orchestral parts and educational material

How do free downloads work?

Please enjoy looking around the very large selection of music offered, and the information given for each piece or work. When you find music you want, simply click “Yes, I wish to download this music”.

You can then either continue searching or go to the Collection Point to receive the music. You can order up to ten PDFs in each session (once per day).

The very first time you receive music, you will need to register on this site with the briefest details, of course at no cost at all. Then, on subsequent visits, you simply ‘log in’.

It is hoped to launch a special viewer subscription for unlimited access in the near future.

Practising good intentions

This site includes a wealth of historical and modern documents, photos, and music — some obviously of unknown or untraceable origin. Johnstone-Music makes no intent of financial gain from sharing the material; any royalties happily belonging to the original owners.

We believe that virtually anyone would appreciate the educational and academic value of sharing, and we’re happy to credit (and thank) any name. However, please be assured that if any copyright holder were to firmly object to the inclusion of something in their domain we would promptly remove said item upon request.

Personal

David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

Social Work

David Johnstone supports animal rights, he is against any form of abuse towards them, and says a loud “NO” to bullfighting, foxhunting and any other animal cruelty.

TORTURE IS NOT CULTURE !