Barnes came to my university and I had the privilege to play this piece under his direction. During intermission he came out to the smoking area with myself and a few friends and he jokingly said to us - "So this is the lepper colony?" He was a cigar guy. Love this music - it will always have a special place in my heart
every time i listen to the third movement i get depressed and sad then i listen to this and i just start having a mental meltdown on if i should be happy or sad
@@danmcglaun1 I'm five years late, so I don't know if you'll see this comment, but ... yeah. Wow. I got to perform this in college a few years ago. The music is beautiful, and the story behind it is so uplifting. I can't imagine what Mr. Barnes and his family must have gone through when they lost Natalie. It brings me happiness to know that they found joy again.
The Symphony is nicknamed 'The Tragic' not this specific movement...this movement is about the birth of Barnes' son, Billy, shortly after the death of Barnes' daughter, Natalie.
Barnes referred to a possible nickname for the symphony as "Tragic" in the program notes. Only recently have I seen it referred to as such in program notes--most recordings I have don't call it anything other than "Symphony No. 3", but there you have it.
@VenomEmperor I've played this piece and I don't remember it being called "The Tragic" If anything that title belongs to the third movement. This piece was made for his newborn soon who came soon after the passing of Barnes' daughter Natalie.
How many French horn players are in this comment section? Best part for horn by far. Seconded only by either jupiter from the planets or to tame the perilous skies....
I'm gonna sound very uneducated, but while he was writing the other movements either his daughter or sister died (can't remember which) so the other movements are very tragic. His wife then gave birth to a healthy baby boy, inspiring this movement
"Barnes started working on Third Symphony at a very difficult time in his life, right after his baby daughter Natalie died. The composer said, "This symphony is the most emotionally draining work that I have ever composed. If it were to be given a nickname, I believe that 'Tragic' would be appropriate." ... The Finale (fourth movement) represents a rebirth of spirit, reconciliation for us all. The second theme of the last movement is based on an old Lutheran children's hymn called "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb". This hymn was sung at Natalie's funeral." From palatineconcertband.org/program-notes/t/third-symphony-op-89.html
Listen to the 3rd movement and learn the story. Then you'll see it is the most tragic "happy" music ever written. Starting at 3:35, for example. And at 5:30 - the piccolo is happy but tragically sad. And at 5:47 - the absolutely most tragic part of the entire symphony. How sad is it that a little boy can so effortlessly play with his sister, who is triumphant even in death? And how can a dad begin to write that scene into music - or even conceive of it? I don't know - you tell me. It doesn't seem to be humanly possible. Tragic doesn't even begin to describe it. I don't think there are words that can.
Barnes came to my university and I had the privilege to play this piece under his direction. During intermission he came out to the smoking area with myself and a few friends and he jokingly said to us - "So this is the lepper colony?" He was a cigar guy. Love this music - it will always have a special place in my heart
How can you even dislike this music?!
every time i listen to the third movement i get depressed and sad then i listen to this and i just start having a mental meltdown on if i should be happy or sad
That is kind of the whole point of these last two movements
@@danmcglaun1 I'm five years late, so I don't know if you'll see this comment, but ... yeah. Wow. I got to perform this in college a few years ago. The music is beautiful, and the story behind it is so uplifting. I can't imagine what Mr. Barnes and his family must have gone through when they lost Natalie. It brings me happiness to know that they found joy again.
Best HORN PART EVER in Symphonic Literature. I've played this song 5 different times, and it never gets old.
The Symphony is nicknamed 'The Tragic' not this specific movement...this movement is about the birth of Barnes' son, Billy, shortly after the death of Barnes' daughter, Natalie.
Would’ve played this for MPA and spring concert this year, every time I listen I want to cry because we never got to play this in a concert.
I would be too, I feel bad for you
Barnes referred to a possible nickname for the symphony as "Tragic" in the program notes. Only recently have I seen it referred to as such in program notes--most recordings I have don't call it anything other than "Symphony No. 3", but there you have it.
I think that this Symphony is music which is most excellent in in James Barnes having written music.
@VenomEmperor
I've played this piece and I don't remember it being called "The Tragic" If anything that title belongs to the third movement. This piece was made for his newborn soon who came soon after the passing of Barnes' daughter Natalie.
The USAFB plays the HADES out of this.
The piece as it's whole is known as The Tragic Symphony in the music community for that exact reason
The trumpet fanfare at 5:13 has more balls than Chuck Norris could ever dream about.... Yes, I said it.
That and 6:42. Haairry!!
How many French horn players are in this comment section? Best part for horn by far. Seconded only by either jupiter from the planets or to tame the perilous skies....
American overture for band and festival variations are on that list, as well as pretty much any rossano galante piece
honestly the entire piece has a tragic undertone if you listen closely.
Damn nostalgia from middle school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL???
this crap was hard for the top band in my high school 😅😅🫠
@@divid_ Middle and high was joint in my case.
去年のコンクール曲！！！
It is only named the "Tragic" and not officially that - by himself i the program notes.
For something in which the title is "The Tragic," this seems too victorious and happy.
Nikko this movement is about the birth of his son Billy, the rest of the symphony is dedicated to his daugther Natalie
1:05
Doesn't sound too tragic to me.
I'm gonna sound very uneducated, but while he was writing the other movements either his daughter or sister died (can't remember which) so the other movements are very tragic. His wife then gave birth to a healthy baby boy, inspiring this movement
"Barnes started working on Third Symphony at a very difficult time in his life, right after his baby daughter Natalie died. The composer said, "This symphony is the most emotionally draining work that I have ever composed. If it were to be given a nickname, I believe that 'Tragic' would be appropriate." ... The Finale (fourth movement) represents a rebirth of spirit, reconciliation for us all. The second theme of the last movement is based on an old Lutheran children's hymn called "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb". This hymn was sung at Natalie's funeral."
From palatineconcertband.org/program-notes/t/third-symphony-op-89.html
Unlike Mahler's tragic, this one seems to have a reconciliation
Listen to the 3rd movement and learn the story. Then you'll see it is the most tragic "happy" music ever written. Starting at 3:35, for example. And at 5:30 - the piccolo is happy but tragically sad. And at 5:47 - the absolutely most tragic part of the entire symphony. How sad is it that a little boy can so effortlessly play with his sister, who is triumphant even in death? And how can a dad begin to write that scene into music - or even conceive of it? I don't know - you tell me. It doesn't seem to be humanly possible. Tragic doesn't even begin to describe it. I don't think there are words that can.