Adagio for Strings Adagio for Strings Adagio for Strings is a work by Samuel Barber, arguably his best known, arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11. Barber finished the arrangement in 1936, the same year that he wrote the quartet. It was performed for the first time on November 5, 1938, by Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra in a radio broadcast from NBC Studio 8H. Toscanini also played the piece on his South American tour with the NBC Symphony in 1940. Its reception was generally positive, with Alexander J. Morin writing that "Adagio for
Serenade for Strings (Elgar) among the most frequently performed of all his music. The first movement begins in 6/8 time with a rhythmic figure. The second movement is in 2/4 time; it is closest to the mature Elgar in style. The third movement begins in 12/8 time, changing to 6/8 on the reappearance of the theme of the first movement. Serenade for Strings (Elgar) The Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20, is a piece for string orchestra in three short movements, by Edward Elgar. It was written in March 1892 and first performed in private in that year, by the Worcester Ladies'