March 9. Time for a trip to the Barber. Samuel Barber, that is.

Happy birthday, Sam (born in West Chester, Pa., on this date in 1910).

My favorite Barber pieces? The Violin Concerto. The Symphony No. 1. The Second Essay for Orchestra. “Souvenirs” (in the version for four-hand piano). Okay, and the Adagio.

Sing it, Lenny.

If you’re feeling a little on the bleak side, here’s some happy music to counterbalance the Adagio. It’s from his set of piano pieces titled “Excursions.”

PHOTO: What you doin’ with that black shirt and baton, Sammy? Ironically, he disliked his Second Symphony. He disliked it so much, he tried to destroy it.