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Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony & String Quartet

5/27/2011, 5 Tracks, 53:53

Featuring

  • Geoff Nuttall
  • Scott St. John
  • Lesley Robertson
  • Christopher Costanza
  • International Contemporary Ensemble
  • St. Lawrence String Quartet
  • John Adams

Did you know?

1/7

Composition History

The "Son of Chamber Symphony" was choreographed as "Joyride" for the San Francisco Ballet by Mark Morris, a choreographer who also created dances for Adams's operas "Nixon in China" and "The Death of Klinghoffer."

Source: Booklet

Composer's Artistic Vision

John Adams's "Son of Chamber Symphony" and his earlier "Chamber Symphony" share a highly animated, 'in-your-face' kind of cheeky buoyancy, despite the 'chamber symphony' form originating with the "fearsomely serious" Arnold Schoenberg.

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

John Adams's two chamber symphonies differ from Arnold Schoenberg's by including brass, percussion, and electronic keyboards, such as a celesta, orchestral chimes, and a keyboard sampler.

Source: Booklet

Composer's Artistic Vision

John Adams chose the generic title "String Quartet" because he felt a certain awe in approaching the medium, which, along with the violin concerto, represents the epitome of musical form and content for him.

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

The "String Quartet" is cast in a uniquely asymmetrical form with a long first part divided into four distinct sections and a much shorter second part.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

John Adams's "String Quartet" was commissioned by The Juilliard School, Stanford Lively Arts, and The Banff Centre, and was premiered by the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

John Adams's "Son of Chamber Symphony" was commissioned for Stanford Lively Arts in honor of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Source: Booklet

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