I just heard the most beautiful choral version of Barber's Adagio for Strings

[liberalhistorian]

That particular piece is already one of my favorites, even before its use as the main theme in the movie Platoon twenty years ago, which is when a lot of people became much more familiar with it. I think it perfectly exemplifies Barber's feelings and the feelings of many others in watching the dark clouds of fascism begin to cover Europe, which was his purpose at the time of its composition.

Anyway, I just heard the most interesting version of it on the radio. It was a full-blown choral version by the Robert Shaw Chorus, which I'm familiar with and even have one of the combined chorus/orchestra Christmas albums. It was truly beautiful and brought forth aspects of the piece in a way I'd never considered before.

I'd love to get a copy of it to play at leisure, whenever I wanted to hear it. But I live, literally, in the back of the back of beyond and there are no music or book/music stores anywhere within a reasonable distance. Does anyone know where I could find it online or where to look for it online?

[noel711]

1. Choral version...?

Did someone write a libretto, or lyrics for it?

Or did the choir simple sing or hum along with the score?

It isnt' that hard to find.. did you Amazon or Google it?

I agree.. it is glorious. Barber was a curious kind of guy,
but an amazing composer.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. It's the Agnus Dei to the tune of Adagio for Strings

"Oh Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Oh Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us they peace."

It's on an album called Images of Christ by the Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter.

I can't stand most of John Rutter's compositions, especially not his Christmas carols, except for "What Sweeter Music," but he's a wonderful choral director.

[david13]

3. Here in Los Angeles there is a radio station that plays it all the time,

which is available online, KUSC radio, a broadcast service of the University of Southern California.
All the walk in stores are gone here too, and this station is the last of the 'classical' music stations.
They sell records online thru' Archive which is on their website. You can listen to the station online, and see the play list online, and purchase the music they play online.
It is a non profit station. I have spent a lot of time listening to the station, and also at the station, and as a result I have had the Barber Adagio for Strings up to my ears, and beyond. So I'll gladly listen to something else.
But try KUSC.org or Archive music or records, or the link at KUSC.
And you can get online access, or cds of any variety.
dc

correction: it is arkivmusic.com

[david13]

4. They appear to offer at least 10 cds of the Barber Adagio, the

first one with Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus? which I think is the one you are talking about for $9.99 shipped to your door in 2 days by FedEx or UPS.
Enjoy.
I hope.
dc