Adagio For Strings- Toscanini/NBC (1938)

Rating--

Now, that is a sad song. It is the sad classical music song to end all sad classical music songs, that is Adagio For Strings. The 1938 NBC recording as conducted by Arturo Toscanini (pictured) is the version that was selected by the National Recording Registry. Between the historical significance and the minor key and the general sad sound of violins, I finished listening with teary eyes.

When I say historical significance, I sure do mean historical significance. Not in the way of the creation of this song-- despite being composed in 1936, I can find no evidence that Samuel Barber (the composer) was influenced by anything in particular. No, it is the way it is used in pop culture now that brings forth sad feelings.

Adagio For Strings was played over radio announcements of the death of John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Princess Grace, and Princess Diana. More recently, "Adagio For Strings" was played at concerts after September 11, the Charlie Hebdo shootings, the Brussels bombing, the Orlando nightclub shooting, and the Manchester arena bombing. For anyone present during any of these horrific events, or anyone who heard this song and now connects it to them in their mind, this song takes on a whole layer as a mourning song.

Purely on the sound of the music, there's something about how it sounds that just sounds very deeply and emotionally sad-- not in a depressing way, but in an almost cathartic way. I wouldn't listen to it every day-- it's a tad exhausting, as classical music goes, but strangely so, as the seven minutes go by in an impressive but almost fast-paced wave of emotions.

Today's "Music Was So Much Better Back Then" comment:

(It seems to be targeting modern spelling today, for some reason, without a mention of music. Nevertheless, I shall include it, since it has the same heart behind it.)

Everyone who has posted on here has used actual words and not the ridiculous child spelling I see spamming the internet.