INTRODUCTION:
To end the year on a high note, what better way than a GT inspired by an essential classic like Adagio For Strings. Samuel Barber’s 🇺🇸 work, released in 1936, was featured in all kinds of arts, contexts & was adapted for various instruments. As for the electronic landscape, there have been many remixes/interpretations by the likes of Skip Raiders, William Orbit & Ferry Corsten, Future Breeze, Paul Oakenfold, Mark Sixma, and Steve Allen recently. But when it comes to influence, Tiësto’s 🇳🇱 remake gets the big slice of the cake. It has been an overwhelming inspiration for many Trance producers out there. It was released in 2005 as the 4th single of his 2nd album, on Magik Muzik (Black Hole) which he founded. Also, it was an opening track for his performance at the 2004 Olympics! Contrary to its name, the Adagio quickly swept all the dancefloors and broke into the Top 10 of most Dance/Electronic charts. In 2013, its place was cemented as one of his career-defining tracks when it was chosen by Mixmag as the 2nd most iconic dance record of all time, just behind Daft Punk’s One More Time.
PRODUCTION:
When it comes to electronic reworks of classical pieces, the main requirement is to keep the overall harmony & melody. From the get-go, we see an example of that with the slow rise of the iconic, surreal strings executed with the proper “Trance charm”. After a nice transition, the saturated synth on the climax brings a magnetism that aligns perfectly with the melancholic atmosphere. The bassline & the wide kick leniently support the drive as elements are added gradually. From then on, it’s simply a journey anyone can interpret at will! Though he could have used more of the original, one can safely say he made the most out of it. This rendition is uplifting enough to evoke various meanings, which is why most fans love it.
CONCLUSION:
Adagio introduced many to the genre & enabled some to appreciate classic music alternatively. Like the original from Barber, we will finish in a little hopeful place by mentioning how we were thrilled to see Tiësto remembering his roots via VER:WEST
