Statue of Liberty and Twin Towers, World Trade Center at Sunset, New York City, New Jersey, New York, designed Minoru Yamasaki

The most moving and appropriate music to remember the tragic loss of life on September 11, 2001 is, for me, Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. I am including a link here to watch a YouTube video with footage from New York on that day juxtaposed with a performance of this beautiful piece. The music is full of longing and perhaps sadness, but also exquisite beauty.

Music is a way to counter acts of terrorism. It is an act of defiance, of courage. It inspires, it moves, it consoles. Music is something terrorism can never take from us. We are free to be inspired as we listen, play or compose it. Music can express our deepest yearnings in a language the entire world can understand.

Readers of this blog, please take time to watch and listen to the Adagio for Strings as you reflect on this 15th anniversary of 9/11. Let it inspire, console and move you. Music conquers all.

Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber