Samuel Barber: Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings)

was this man very emotional seems it with the tune i like tho in the film platoon very sad

exceptional.....

Amen brother (no pun intended ;) )

-Chris

Beautiful music does not have to be religious, the meaning of this song is Christ, being the lamb of God 'Angus Dei' I believe Christ existed but I do not believe in God, many a good man has died for what he believes in that does not make him a son of something Devine, nor does it prevent him/her from enjoying beautiful music.

Tancred2006 said, "The Ark of the Covenant is not about the gold." Aside from gold being named specifically in the Bible, I have to ask, why gold? Perhaps because of it's beauty and value? Many non-sacred, non-religious items are made of gold. Is that somehow sacrilegious?

I'll agree with all of that. My main point is that it is a great piece of MUSIC, whether liturgical or secular, and with or without the text. I think it's acceptable to appreciate it in ANY of these ways.

Being the composer, he could change this to whatever he wanted, agreed?
As well, how could we know what stimulus caused him to change to the sacred? It could have been something between him and God or he could have thought it was proper given the tone of the piece. Who knows?

All I know is that this is awesome.

its my entrance music when I enter the ring and when i've beaten an opponent senseless and win the match. freaks people out! but its a good tune.

Actually, my sources say that Barber composed the music in 1936 in the form of a string quartet (without words). It wasn't until 1967 that Barber set the Agnus Dei text to the music.

So I ask you... If the piece was intended to be sacred, why would he wait 31 years to apply the sacred element -- the Agnus Dei text?

wow amazing work everytime i hear this piece my skin crawl...beautiful!