Details page

Title
Adagio
Original Title
Composer
Barber, Samuel
Year
1936
Editor
Arranger
Hollomon, Samuel
Year Arranged
Original Instrumentation
String quartet
Publisher
Year Published
Catalogue Number
Sheet Music Format
A4, Score (17) & parts (8x1=8, plus tuba, 1, total=9)
Horns
8
Additional Equipment
Others
1
Other Instruments
Tuba
Duration
7
Structure / Movements
One movement. Molto adagio
Clefs
Treble, bass
Meters
4/2, 5/2, 6/2, 3/2
Key signatures
5b
Range
Horn 1: a - bb2 Horn 2: a - bb2 Horn 3: gb - gb2 Horn 4: eb - db2 Horn 5: db - gb2 Horn 6: db - eb2 Horn 7: G - db2 Horn 8: Eb - db2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
This work needs no introduction (and if one is required, there is an excellent one on Wikipedia). The arrangement is in B flat minor (F minor concert pitch) which is a fifth lower than the original (in B flat minor). Like many other arrangements, this translated into simply playing from the score in C. The distribution of parts is high to low as the number increases, so horn 1 is the highest, horn 8 the lowest (except for the tuba), and from 2 to 7 the range gets lower with each player. The moving parts are distributed between the players, so everybody gets to play the theme at some point. Overall an effective arrangement of a work that lends itself well to a horn ensemble. The addition of the tuba provides more of the bass (making it sound more like the string orchestra rather than the string quartet version). And apart from the musical value, this piece is an excellent breathing exercise.
Credits
Access to review score: Nancy Joy (NMSU)
Sound
Score