Felix Hell - Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber)

[mikkkeyman]

To be honest, I actually clicked on this video just because this guy's last name was so awesome (lnsert lol here) but praised be God and and the majestic heavens in all their glory what an incredible performance this man was able to give; he was able to preserve the unearthly delicacy and vulnerability of the original piece yet adding such ambient and surreal interpretation by the sound of organ. Beautiful, majestic, poetic, transcendent.

[clavecin88]

an absolutely stunning performance.

[InfectTheNet]

Can anyone tell me who arranged this?

[InfectTheNet]

nevermind, found it!

[mach037]

That final solo note, kind of a breathy sound, held at 9:00 puts me in mind of the Unda Maris of the Hollywood High School Skinner. Felix played there about ten years ago and used that stop on a quiet Rheinberger piece ("Abendfriede"?). Very effective in this Adagio.

[sirMEGADACTYL]

Totally wonderful!

[jhshaw012345]

I've never liked the way this transcription introduces the two pedal notes at the incredible climax. The piece's climax is the extreme intensity of those very high string sounds with full bowing. When you hold those notes out as written, it's as though you are lifted up higher than you thought possible from a string or organ sound. It seems likes it turns it into an organ piece, I know that it is a transcription, but I would tend toward keeping the overall idea of the composition in tact.

[hornplayerchris]

@jhshaw012345 To each his own, the pedal notes at the climax are my favorite part.

[007vauxhall]

What an excellent control, very much enjoyed this.

[silverstartrucker]

Excellent gentle sensitive performance. I do like this a lot...

[wheidelberg]

This is the most wonderful performance of this work I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Mr. Hell is an organist of the traditional school, and this performance is truly flawless. Thank you so much for uploading this work.

[mikedc2020]

Very nice. Pity about all the extraneous noises in the audience! Sounded like a kid running up and down the aisles screeching his gym shoes!

[Branchporter]

@mikedc2020 - I agree, Felix did a great job on the Adagio! But, I'm wondering if the noise you mentioned might have been a bird that had gotten into Trinity.