Sunday Drive: Barber, Adagio for Strings

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  --I John 1:5

One of your Head Trucker's all-time favorites, which speaks to me of spiritual things.  I would like to have this piece played at my funeral one day.  It is performed here by the Vienna Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel conducting, in the gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace on June 20, 2019.

The Adagio was written by American composer Samuel Barber (1910-1981) in 1936; thirty years later, he used the music for his choral arrangement of the Angus Dei.  He was partnered with the composer Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) for more than forty years.

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Maundy Thursday 2026

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.

Agnus Dei by Zurbaran, circa 1635.

Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber as performed by Voces8:

The Lessons Apppointed for Use on

Maundy Thursday

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Agnus Dei

Good Friday

My only Lenten offering this year.  And my favorite classical piece, which will be played one day at my funeral.  Some of you know it as the Adagio for Strings.

Peace to you all.

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Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.