There’s something oddly appropriate about a composer named John Adams arriving between the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington.

Adams turns 70 today. Considered by some to be America’s foremost living composer, he emerged from the fog of minimalism to become the most versatile and substantial of those who have embraced the style.

Personally I’ve always been divided on Adams’ music. Some of it I find fun (“Short Ride in a Fast Machine,” “Grand Pianola Music”), some of it I find to be quite good (“Shaker Loops,” “El Niño”), some of it I find to be boring, clumsy or downright embarrassing (“Harmonium,” for as much as I could stand of “Doctor Atomic”).

I concede that my reactions are very subjective. There’s no arguing against Adams’ influence or his standing. Happy birthday, sir, and congratulations on your long-term success.

Adams’ music will be featured today alongside that of fellow birthday celebrants Christopher Rouse, Georges Auric, Robert Fuchs and Michael Praetorius, when I take to the airwaves from 4 to 7 p.m. EST on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.