Best Adagio music of All Time .. 10 great adagio classical music you should know

adagio classical music

In today’s world, it is increasingly essential to take a moment to relax, unwind and invest significant energy for yourself. This exceptional collection of delightful and serene adagio music will help you do just that. It is great for relieving bad stress, to soothe the soul and calm the mind. It will take you on slow waves of soothing melodies to a world of pure sound and tranquillity.

Adagio music meaning

Adagio is a tempo mark directing that a passage is to be played rather slowly and  stately (literally, “at ease”) (55–65 BPM). The passage having this mark is often the second movement of sonatas and symphonies in classical music, but it can be a stand-alone music piece. Here, A generous selection of the best adagios in the world, Some melodies are instantly recognizable ones, because they was used in many tv series, movies and songs…

 

Best adagio classical music of All Time

 

1- Adagio from Concierto De Aranjuez (classical music)

It is the second movement of composer Joaquin Rodrigo’s work “Concerto de Aranjuez” (guitar concerto ), this concerto is the most famous work by the blind composer Rodrigo. It rather looks like concerto’s success made Rodrigo one of the most famous Spanish composers in the 20th century.

What Rodrigo was inspired to compose his best-known work?

There are Two theories about that, The first is that Rodrigo drew inspiration from the famous royal site on the shore of the River Tagus, not far from Madrid, along the road to Andalusia, He wanted to bring to life the essence of an eighteenth-century court, the singing of birds and the gushing of fountains with his concerto. The second one: Rodrigo wrote this music after his wife miscarried their first child.

Many Artists made songs based on this adagio like lebanese singer Fairuz (“li beirut” song) and french singer Richard Antony (“Mon Amour” song)

Concierto de Aranjuez - Joaquín Rodrigo II. Adagio / Pablo Sáinz-Villegas - LIVE
Concierto de Aranjuez - Joaquín Rodrigo II. Adagio / Pablo Sáinz-Villegas - LIVE
Concierto de Aranjuez - Joaquín Rodrigo II. Adagio / Pablo Sáinz-Villegas - LIVE

2- Secret Garden- Adagio

This adagio will touch your heart and soul, It was inspired by Bach, composed by Secret Garden band which is one of the most successful bands in Europe, specialized in new instrumental music, new classical music and celtic music led by the duo consisting of Irish violinist and singer Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer, arranger and pianist Rolf Løvland.

SECRET GARDEN  - ADAGIO
SECRET GARDEN - ADAGIO
SECRET GARDEN - ADAGIO

3- Barber adagio for strings (classical music)

Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings is one of the twentieth-century’s greatest pieces of classical music in the world. It is the second movement of Barber’s string Quartet Opus 11 work, He arranged it for full string orchestra. It’s become America’s semi-official music for mourning, used at Albert Einstein’s funeral.

BARBER Adagio for Strings
BARBER Adagio for Strings
BARBER Adagio for Strings

4- Alessandro Marcello Adagio (classical music)

Alessandro Marcello – Adagio in D minor is one of the most beautiful Adagios of the Baroque period. It is the 2nd movement from his Concerto for oboe and strings which is perhaps his best-known work.

Some people say that Alessandro Marcello was once asked by what he was inspired to compose so sad and beautiful Adagio and he replied: “I imagine the day when my beloved Venice sinks into the sea.”
Its worth was affirmed by Johann Sebastian Bach who transcribed it for harpsichord (BWV 974), You can listen to bach adagio here.

Alessandro Marcello - Adagio in D minor
Alessandro Marcello - Adagio in D minor
Alessandro Marcello - Adagio in D minor

5- Rachmaninoff Adagio (classical music)

One of the most enchanting slow movements in the piano repertoire is Rachmaninoff’s Adagio from his greatest piano concerto ever written Piano Concerto No. 2.

This concerto consists of 3 movements. This second movement (adagio) in particular is a romantic, stormy and intense affair.
In this concerto, piano overrides orchestra in many moments, and that’s normal because Rachmaninoff is a Pianist and he would like to give the major role to his instrument.

Khatia Buniatishvili : Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 2nd Movement  arte HD
Khatia Buniatishvili : Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 2nd Movement arte HD
Khatia Buniatishvili : Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 2nd Movement arte HD

6- Yanni Adagio 

Yanni has brought his personal musical style to millions of people across around the world, no matter who they are or where they are. His music is a multicultural, global mix of classical music, jazz with an oriental touch.

This adagio is a new classical piece from his famous album “Tribute”.

YANNI– Adagio In C Minor – LIVE HQ REMASTERED
YANNI– Adagio In C Minor – LIVE HQ REMASTERED
YANNI– Adagio In C Minor – LIVE HQ REMASTERED

7- Mozart Adagio

Many Mozart’s Adagio movements are well known, but the most famous Adagio is Piano Concerto No. 23, II. Adagio. It is a slow and deep movement asif it expresses a long wait.

Another famous Mozart’s Adagios are Violin Concerto No. 3, II.Adagio , and Adagio from his last Concerto: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K.622.

Hélène Grimaud – Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23: II. Adagio
Hélène Grimaud – Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23: II. Adagio
Hélène Grimaud – Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23: II. Adagio

8- Beethoven Adagio

This evocative and atmospheric adagio will transport you to another world, far away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

It is the second slow movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 commonly known as Sonata Pathétique (meaning ‘passionate’ or ’emotional’), And of the 32 piano sonatas composed by Beethoven, only the Moonlight challenges this one in the popularity stakes. It was written in 1798 when Beethoven was 27 years old, He dedicated the work to his friend Prince Karl von Lichnowsky.

Barenboim on Beethoven 'Pathetique' 2nd movement
Barenboim on Beethoven 'Pathetique' 2nd movement
Barenboim on Beethoven 'Pathetique' 2nd movement

9- Albinoni Adagio

If you’re looking for pathos and passion, the wistful spiritual from Barber’s Adagio is all you want. This adagio for violin and strings is one of the most popular pieces among music lovers, was composed by musicologist Remo Giazotto based on the discovery of a manuscript fragment by Baroque composer Tomaso Albinoni.

Giazotto denied that the piece was based on a fragment of Albinoni’s original composition at all. Instead, he wanted the world to know that he, Giazotto, had written the whole thing himself and Albinoni hadn’t played any part in it. whatever the truth – this dramatic piece will most probably forever be known as Albinoni’s Adagio.

It grew in fame, has been rearranged for different instruments, and has appeared in popular music, film and television, covered by Lara Fabian adagio song, II Divo Adagio song, Andre Rieu ….

Tomaso Albinoni - Adagio (best live version)
Tomaso Albinoni - Adagio (best live version)
Tomaso Albinoni - Adagio (best live version)

10- Ravel Adagio 

American composer, Ravel, tours Paris and encountered the fun and fashionable French jazz that he writes his Piano Concerto in G. It was intended to be a light, fanciful and not inherently serious work. In contrast to many of the concertos of his day.

This concerto is a little glimpse of heaven with a slow movement of serene beauty confirms Ravel’s status as a master of melody.

Helene Grimaud, Vladimir Jurowski - 2009 - Ravel concerto in G Major - Adagio Assai
Helene Grimaud, Vladimir Jurowski - 2009 - Ravel concerto in G Major - Adagio Assai
Helene Grimaud, Vladimir Jurowski - 2009 - Ravel concerto in G Major - Adagio Assai

That’s all! If you liked this list, then please share it with your friends. 




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