# Barber, Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

The most famous American adagio. Cellos contribute a slow, rising/falling line of immense pathos.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Samuel Barber

- **Work:** Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

- **Movement:** Molto adagio

- **Era:** Modern (c. 1910–1950)

- **Composed:** 1936

- **Key:** Bb

- **Metre:** 4/2

- **Tempo:** Molto adagio approximately 50 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Intermediate

- **Audition list:** Not a standard excerpt

## Bowing

Imperceptibly slow bow, the listener should not hear bow changes.

## Style

Held breath. No vibrato pulse, wide, slow, generous.

## Techniques

orchestral, lyrical, famous, American

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi, cellos](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/debussy-faune), Languid, mysterious accompaniment to the famous flute solo. The dawn of musical Impressionism. Intermediate; Modern; Bass clef.
- [Stravinsky: Firebird, Berceuse](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/stravinsky-firebird-berceuse), Hushed lullaby that opens after the firebird's capture, cellos rock gently in the lower register. Intermediate; Modern; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet, Dance of the Knights](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/prokofiev-dance-knights), The thunderous Capulet dance, relentless, marcato, a staple of orchestra excerpts. Intermediate; Modern; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Introduction](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/stravinsky-rite-intro), Strange, primordial wakening, odd meters, exposed harmonics and high tessitura. Advanced; Modern; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/shostakovich-5-i), The dotted-rhythm canon between low strings and violins that opens one of the great 20th-century symphonies. Advanced; Modern; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, II, cellos](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/bartok-cfo-ii), The cellos enter as the third "couple" in Bartók's game of pairs, playing parallel sixths. Advanced; Modern; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/barber-adagio