Nadia Sirota Archive

“Splitting Adams” = John ADAMS: Chamber Symphony; Son of Chamber Symphony – Alarm Will Sound/Alan Pierson – Cantaloupe Music

“Splitting Adams” = John ADAMS: Chamber Symphony; Son of Chamber Symphony – Alarm Will Sound/Alan Pierson – Cantaloupe Music

“Splitting Adams” = John ADAMS: Chamber Symphony; Son of Chamber Symphony – Alarm Will Sound/Alan Pierson – Cantaloupe Music CA21128 (4/21/17) 76:29 ****: Wonderfully refreshing look at the music of this iconic composer. First, I am almost positive I have all of John Adams’ works that have been recorded as well as some scores and have been a huge fan since hearing his “breakout” work, Harmonium, with the San Francisco Symphony nearly forty years ago. I personally believe that Adams and his music will ‘survive’ the test of time through performance as well as through the critical filter of American music history to be seen as one of our most important composers these past four decades and beyond. Adams’ music is alternately beautiful, captivating and melodious and, then; thorny, complex and occasionally disconcerting. People who think they can immediately identify one of John’s works have either listened to a lot of it or—not. This is why this “podcast album” of both of Adams’ chamber symphonies is so refreshing and valuable. The performances of both of these important works by the always splendid and innovative Alarm Will Sound are amazing, of course. The real bonus here is the extended commentary and discussion […]