To me, John Adams has always embodied the spirit of youth. How the heck, then, did he get to be 75???
Adams is considered by some to be America’s preeminent living composer. Of the generation that emerged from the haze of Minimalism, he is perhaps the one representative least likely to repeat. Arguably the most versatile and substantial of the early proponents of the style, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2003 for his 9/11 memorial “On the Transmigration of Souls.”
Personally, I’ve never found all of his music convincing, and I would include among that his Pulitzer winner. 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”). But undoubtedly everyone will have their own reactions (“Grand Pianola Music” was booed at its premiere), and all are free to assess for themselves.
A new opera is imminent, Adams’ take on Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” – a departure for a composer whose stage works have been rooted in modernity – scheduled for a Los Angeles debut. Samuel Barber notoriously went down in flames for tackling the same subject for the grand re-opening of the Metropolitan Opera House at its current location at Lincoln Center in 1966 (though some would argue, in Barber’s case, it was not for wholly musical reasons).
In common with another illustrious predecessor, Aaron Copland, Adams in his maturity has expanded his activities as a conductor. While wondering what new I could possibly add to the 75th birthday encomiums, I stumbled across this substantial interview, in which he talks about, among other things, the challenges and rewards of conducting Sibelius. As a great admirer of Sibelius’ music myself, I found it to be of interest, even if I’m not sure I entirely agree with all of his assessments.
From a new opera to old synthesizers – Interview with John Adams
Regardless of my own mixed reaction to Adams’ body of work, there’s no arguing against his influence or his standing. Happy birthday on his 75th. Congratulations on his long-term success, and may he enjoy many more!
“Short Ride in a Fast Machine”
“Shaker Loops”
“Nixon in China”
John Adams on conducting
