Who decided to run with Adagio for Strings on Outlander Season 4, Episode 12?
Adagio for Strings was used at the end of Outlander Season 4, Episode 12. Who made the decision to use the music?
Outlander Season 4, Episode 12 included a beautiful piece of music over the final scenes. Mirroring the Season 4 premiere, it showed how modern-day music and work beautifully well to add depth to a scene instead of taking you out of it completely. Who made the choice to use the song at the end of “Providence?”
For those who had heard it but couldn’t quite place it, the song is “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber. Originally finished in 1936 and performed for the first time in 1938, it’s been used in many movies and for death notices of prominent figures around the world. The most prominent movie you’ll have heard it used would be “Platoon.”
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But who decided it would work for “Providence?” It turns out that director Mairzee Almas chose to use the music in her director’s cut. It was so popular that the EPs decided to keep it in.
And it was the perfect piece of music to use in the episode. The way it was used with no sound from the actors on screen brought out the horror, sadness, but also undeniable love in the scenes. We felt everything that each of the characters focused on felt.
There was the horror from Roger as he saw what was happening to the priest and then the shock as the priest’s lover walked into the flames. We saw the moment of peace Johiehon felt as she made the decision to walk in the flames and the despair Kaheroton felt watching her leave her baby.
Great job in this episode @SeraLysMcArthur ! And yes - shout out to @mairzeealmas, our fab director who did indeed use #AdagioForStrings in her cut. And we loved it! https://t.co/CzhImQ1d6F
— Maril Davis (@TallShipProds) January 21, 2019
The scene didn’t need words or the sound of screaming. We didn’t need to know exactly what was being said. The music told us all.
Why did it work better than the premiere? For me, it was about the specific music. The premiere episode used “America the Beautiful,” complete with words to show the contrast against the scenes that played out. However, the modern feel to the music pulled me out of the setting around them. Maybe an instrumental version would have been better.
In Episode 12, we still got a modern-day piece but it didn’t feel as modern. It’s a solemn piece of music that is designed for heartbreaking scenes. It adds to the feeling of the scenery instead of being played in more of an ironic way.
Next. 5 best Roger moments in Outlander Season 4, Episode 12. dark
What did you think of the use of “Adagio for Strings” in Outlander Season 4, Episode 12? Did you realize it was used in the director’s cut? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Outlander Season 4 finale airs on Sunday at 8/7c on STARZ.