John Adams, a pioneering figure in contemporary classical music, presents "Earbox," a compelling collection of his works that showcases his distinctive minimalist and avant-garde style. Released in 1999 under the Nonesuch label, this album spans a diverse range of genres, including opera, orchestral pieces, and vocal works, offering a comprehensive exploration of Adams' musical genius.
The album opens with selections from "Harmonium" and "Shaker Loops," demonstrating Adams' mastery of instrumental textures and rhythmic complexity. The inclusion of "The Chairman Dances" and "Grand Pianola Music" highlights his playful and energetic approach to composition, while "Fearful Symmetries" delves into more introspective and atmospheric soundscapes.
A significant portion of the album is dedicated to Adams' acclaimed opera "Nixon in China," providing a rich and immersive experience of this groundbreaking work. The opera's blend of historical narrative, political commentary, and emotional depth is captured in these excerpts, offering a glimpse into Adams' ability to merge high art with contemporary relevance.
Beyond the opera, the album features a variety of vocal and choral works, including "The Wound-Dresser," "Christian Zeal and Activity," and "Five Songs," showcasing Adams' talent for setting text to music and his exploration of different vocal styles. The album concludes with excerpts from "I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky," a chamber opera that further exemplifies Adams' versatility and innovative spirit.
With a total runtime of nearly five hours, "Earbox" is a substantial and rewarding listening experience. It offers both newcomers and longtime admirers of John Adams' music an opportunity to engage with his diverse and influential body of work. Whether you're drawn to the rhythmic intensity of his instrumental pieces or the dramatic power of his operas, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tracks
Adams: Harmonium: I. Negative LoveJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Harmonium: II. Because I Could Not Stop for DeathJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Harmonium: III. Wild NightsJohn Adams, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Adams: Shaker Loops: I. Shaking and TremblingJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: II. Hymning SlewsJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: III. Loops and VersesJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Shaker Loops: IV. A Final ShakingJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra)John Adams, Edo de Waart, San Francisco Symphony
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: Pt. IAJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: Pt. IBJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Grand Pianola Music: On the Dominant DivideJohn Adams, London Sinfonietta
Adams: Fearful SymmetriesJohn Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "The People Are the Heroes Now"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: Landing of the Spirit of '76John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Your Flight Was Smooth, I Hope?"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "News Has a Kind of Mystery"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena, Thomas Hammons
Nixon in China, Act 1, Scene 3: "Mr. Premier, distinguished guests"John Adams
Act 1, Scene 3: "Mr. Premier, distinguished guests," (2)John Adams
Nixon in China, Act 1, Scene 3: CheersJohn Adams
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 1: "This Is Prophetic!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Oh What a Day I Thought I'd Die!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Whip Her to Death!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "I Am the Wife of Mao Tse-tung"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "Let Us Examine What You Did"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Duykers, Trudy Ellen Craney, Sanford Sylvan
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "When I Woke Up"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, James Maddalena, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Have No Offspring"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney, John Duykers
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Can Keep Still"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "After that the Sweat Had Soaked My Uniform"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page, James Maddalena, John Duykers, Sanford Sylvan
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "Peking Watches the Stars"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney, John Duykers
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "You Won at Poker"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act III: "I Am Old and I Cannot Sleep"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: The Wound-DresserJohn Adams, Sanford Sylvan, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Christian Zeal and ActivityJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, San Francisco Symphony
Five Songs: ThoreauCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: Down EastCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: Cradle SongCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: At The RiverRobert Lowry, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Five Songs: SerenityCharles Ives, John Adams, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Eros PianoJohn Adams, Paul Crossley
Chorus of Exiled PalestiniansJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Chorus of Exiled JewsJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
The Captain: "It Was Just After One Fifteen"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Swiss Grandmother: "My Grandson Didi, Who Was Two"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Molqi: "Give These Orders"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Swiss Grandmother: "So I Said To My Grandson"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Mamoud: "We Are Sorry For You"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
Night ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon
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