Adams: Grand Pianola Music [Import]

Track Listings

1. Adams: 1st. & 2nd Movements

2. 3rd Movement

3. Reich: Vermont Counterpoint*

4. Eight Lines

Tracks:

Lollapalooza
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane: She's So Fine
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag The Bone
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer & Chisel
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Standchen: The Little Serenade
John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Tromba Lontana
Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Short Ride In A Fast Machine
Common Tones In Simple Time
El Dorado - Part I. A Dream Of Gold
El Dorado - Part II. Soledades

Tracks:

Harmonielehre - Part I
Harmonielehre - Part II The Anfortas Wound
Harmonielehre - Part III Meister Eckhardt And Quackie
Violin Concerto - Part I
Violin Concerto - Part II Chaconne:
Violin Concerto - Part III Toccare

Tracks:

Chamber Sympony - Mongel Airs
Chamber Sympony - Aria With Walking Bass
Chamber Sympony
Hoodo Zephyr - Tundra
Hoodo Zephyr - Dissappointment Lake
Hoodo Zephyr - Hoodo Zephyr
Gnarly Buttons - The Perilous Shore
Gnarly Buttons - Hoe-Down (Mad Cow)
Gnarly Buttons - Put Your Loving Arms Around Me

Tracks:

Ensemble - I Was Looking At The Ceiling And Then I Saw The Sky
A Sermon On Romance
Consuelo's Dream
Mike's Song About Arresting A Particular Individual
Tiffany's Solo
Song About The On-Site Altercation
Song About The Bad Boys And The News
Your Honor My Client He's A Young Black Man
Leila's Song; Alone (Again Or At Last)
Three Weeks And Still I'm Outta My Mind
Crushed By The Rock I Been Standing On
Dewain's Song Of Liberation And Surprise
!Este Pais! / This Country
One Last Look At The Angel In Your Eyes
Finale

Tracks:

Lollapalooza
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Toot Nipple
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Dogjam
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Pavane: She's So Fine
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Rag The Bone
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Habenera
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Stubble Crotchet
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Hammer & Chisel
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Alligator Escalator
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Standchen: The Little Serenade
John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

Harmonium - Negative Love
Harmonium - Becuase I Could Not Stop For Death
Harmonium - Wild Nights
Shaker Loops - Shaking and Trambling
Shaker Loops - Hymning Slews
Shaker Loops - Loops and Verses
Shaker Loops - A Final Shaking

Tracks:

The Chairman Dances - Foxtrot For Orchestra
Grand Pianola Music - First Movement
Grand Pianola Music - Second Movement
Grand Pianola Music - Third Movement: On The Dominant Divide
Fearful Symmetries

Tracks:

Nixon In China - Opening
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Landing Of The Spirit Of '76
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Cheers
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China - Opening
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -
Nixon In China -

Tracks:

The Wound-Dresser
Christian Zeal And Activity
Five Songs - Thoreau
Five Songs - Down East
Five Songs - Cradle Song
Five Songs - At The River
Five Songs - Serenity
Eros Piano

Amazon.com

Having earned his composing stripes after the 1960s, John Adams had the pioneering work of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley close at hand as he ventured into his trade. And, while minimalism's historical continuum helps place Adams, he used Reich, Glass, and Riley (among others) only as a starting point. And here's proof: a 10-CD retrospective of nearly all Adams's recorded compositions on Nonesuch Records, the label that also issued Steve Reich 1965-1995 and Kronos Quartet: 25 Years. Adams's Harmonium, a choral work of startling energy and effervescence, appears here in a new recording, as do distillations of both The Death of Klinghoffer and Nixon in China, two path-clearing operas. Over the span of a career covered by Earbox, Adams has returned minimalism to traditional instrumental ensembles as well as to projects that at once advanced a political commentary and took that commentary back to orchestral audiences. And so, in far less time than his predecessors, Adams created works that now play like standard repertoire pieces: The Wound Dresser and Shaker Loops and the Violin Concerto--all of them are here. What these works demonstrate is a fierce creativity on the one hand and perhaps a hunger for commercial advances on the other. Adams may at times be a bustling free thinker, but he sounds ever conscious of what audiences are listening to. As for the works themselves, they remain every bit as daunting as when written.

Some may object to particular selections. I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, for example, hardly ranks with Adams's best work. But this box isn't a mere best-of; it's an almost-all-of. At times terrifically American--especially in the news-aware operas and their narrative pragmatism--Adams well deserves a major box set, and its coverage is appropriate to his varied, stylistically diverse output. As with any large-scale retrospective, Earbox--which fairly bristles with Adams's new composition, Slonimsky's Earbox--has spots where fans might balk at the quality of the composer's writing. But it's got a fantastic accompanying booklet along with its many hours of inarguably modern and thoroughly listener-friendly music. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Moved to tears.......2004-03-18

Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.

Nonesuch delivers.Again.......2002-11-27

John adams is one of the most popular living composers of"modern" classical music[I believe the cutoff point, though arbitrary is usually WWII}.I came to him late, through my husband. Modersn classical music , I said? What the hell is that?My husband kept playing bits and pieces of adams for me, and more and more i found myself amazed. and swayed. His operas have been groundbreaking{Nixon in China} controversial{Death Of klinghoffer},his compostions sublimely beautiful{shaker Loops or harmonium].HIS STATURE IS WORTHY THEN OF SUCH A MONUMENTAL CAREER SPANNING BOX SET.This 10 disc set[great value, again from NONESUCH}encompasses Adams' entire career,and though there are some misses here{I was looking at the ceiling and then i saw the sky doesnt quite fit},it is still magnificent. the Highlights are ,{for me} the Wound Dresser, Chamber symphony,Violin Concerto, of course, Shaker Loops and Harmonuim are wonderful. The true jewels here are Nixon in China,the Chairman dances and the Death of Klinghoffer,which is simply a masterpiece. The set comes with a wonderful book, which contains essay's by Robert Hurwitz {An Uncommon Man}renaud Machart[John adams as seen from europe} and Essays before an earbox by Adams himself.A Chronology and dicography are included. A wonderful study of an American original,worth the investment, Highly highly recommended

harmonia in excelsis.......2001-11-12

I must agree with Mr. Bartlett, particularly with regard to "Ceiling." It may well be because his Violin Concerto and Harmonielehre are so powerful. 4.5 stars.
Interesting, and likely intentional, is that two names in the extensive liner book fail to mention two great and glaringly obvious precursors: Carl Orff and Raymond Scott. Without "Carmina Burana," there would be no "Harmonium." Orff has his mark all over Adams's gifted and epic compositions. Similarly, though there are glib references to "cartoon music," the polymath engineer/musician Scott is a seminal figure in American music, and casts a large shadow over the witty juxtapositions and sense of play one loves in Adams's work. In all, an excellent career overview.

Our greatest living composer.......2001-07-22

As a composer, I'm staggered that anyone could fail to be gripped by this music.

That anyone can use the words "spoiled, overrated" amazes me. I emphatically disagree with "A music fan"'s review.

I don't think it's "mind-numbing"; I think it's spiritual and exciting. To me it's the most substantial music being created in our times.

I'm really sorry that anyone could fail to enjoy it, and really recommend others to listen for themselves.

Wonderful CD.......2000-04-02

This compilation should turn even the most curmudgeonly listerner into a fan. Beautifully recorded, great notes -- and it's a heck of a bargain!

John Adams: Grand Pianola; Steve Reich: Eight Lines; Vermont Counterpoint

Average customer rating:

Sensational!

John Adams: Grand Pianola; Steve Reich: Eight Lines; Vermont Counterpoint

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Chamber Symphony: Grand Pianola
Ives: Holidays Symphony
Sextet/Six Marimbas
Reich: Different Trains, Electric Counterpoint / Kronos Quartet, Pat Metheny
Drumming

ASIN: B000A9QLC2
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

First & Second Movements - Ursula Oppens
Third Movement: On The Dominant Divide
Vermont Counterpoint
Eight Lines

Customer Reviews:

Sensational!.......2007-03-21

More than 20 years ago I was examining this CD at a store in Oxford, England. The owner looked over, his eyes lit up, and he said "Sensational!" with unexpected British passion.

But he was right. It is. Anyone not suffering from severe anal repression will take huge joy in it.

Average customer rating:

Helpful Recording
John Adams
Grand Pianola Music is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard
Defense of Grand Pianola
Unoriginal and Unmusical

Chamber Symphony: Grand Pianola

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Century Rolls
Adams: Violin Concerto/Shaker Loops
John Adams - Harmonielehre · The Chairman Dances · Tromba lontana · Short Ride in a Fast Machine / Sir Simon Rattle
Naive & Sentimental Music
On the Transmigration of Souls

ASIN: B000005IZR
Release Date: 1994-10-25

Tracks:

Chamber Symphony: Mongrel Airs
Chamber Symphony: Aria With Walking Bass
Chamber Symphony: Roadrunner
Grand Pianola Music: Part IA
Grand Pianola Music: Part IB
Grand Pianola Music: On The Great Divide

Customer Reviews:

Helpful Recording.......2007-03-24

I play trumpet and needed to perform on the Adams Chamber Symphony. As I had never heard the work, I wanted a recording to help me study. This is a nice CD and the performance of the Chamber Symphony is excellent. I found the CD very helpful in my preparation.

Bryan A-W
Trumpet Professor
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

John Adams.......2007-01-16

I cannot review this, as it was bought as a present, and I have not heard it.

Grand Pianola Music is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.......2006-07-04

That's not a lie. I'm sixteen. I listen to all sorts of music, rock, classical, opera, hip hop. Just about anything. But when my dad (who is a college humanities prof.) played me the third movement of Grand Pianola Music, I was instantly impressed.

To this day, it is only on a par with Beethoven's 9th Movement IV and Pastoral Final Movement with the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

I strongly urge you to buy this album.

Defense of Grand Pianola.......2006-06-23

I have to say first off that 'Grand Pianola Music' is a favorite piece of mine. I too, am a composer, and open to musical styles of all types. However, where another reviewer hears embarassingly trite, unoriginal and obvious music, I hear music of passion and joyousness, music that might embarass some because it is so unashamed of reveling in the glory of its own sound. Grand Pianola Music is like the big, brassy, colorful uncle who crashes the posh dinner party, horrifies the snob guests and captivates the more open-minded ones. Unfortunately, it seems that despite the talk of reaching out and eschewing the "Who cares if you listen?" mentality of the 20th century academic mainstream, contemporary classical music still retains the atmosphere of a posh upper-class dinner party; having fun is the most gauche faux pas imaginable.
Originality, complexity, structure, and artistic meaning, these are the concerns of too many contemporary composers and aesthetic critics. Beauty, truth, and emotional meaning are the concerns of most ordinary listeners. Which sounds better to you? In the end, it all depends on listening to the music and deciding if you like it or not; if it moves you in your gut. One reviewer found the piano's theme in the last movement of this piece 'obvious' or 'trite' I found it noble and almost Beethovenesque. Make up your own mind.

Unoriginal and Unmusical.......2006-05-09

I am a composer and open to all modern styles from minimalism to atonal music.
This is one of the worst discs I have heard in a long time and that is saying something-my recent listening included Stockhausen! The Grand Pianola music last movement sounds like a cross between Andrew Lloyd Webber at his most cheesy(though he is never as bad as this) and really bad Philip Glass on a terrible off day!! The irritating Glass-like vocal stuff is awfuul and those obvious key changes! It is close on unlistenable.
It is trite,unoriginal,vacuous music and I have heard more original music from school students-really.It is totally uninspired.The 'big' theme played by the piano is so obvious and unoriginal it is truly appalling.The London Sinfonietta who are fantastic players must have been really embarassed playing this drivel.
The Chamber symphony first mvt sounds like a mess musically and actually very unpleasant-Schoenberg need'nt worry(and I am no lover of his Chamber Symphony)
Adams really should be ashamed of this-he has produced mush better.

Adams: Grand Pianola Music; Reich: Vermont Counterpoint, Eight Lines

Average customer rating:

Adams: Grand Pianola Music; Reich: Vermont Counterpoint, Eight Lines
John Adams , Ransom Wilson , Solisti New York , and Steve Reich
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DNH2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

John Adams, David Lang; Works for Wind Ensemble

Average customer rating:

questionable pairing
Not the Best Pairings for Good Adams Works

John Adams, David Lang; Works for Wind Ensemble

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000AWR
Release Date: 1995-05-23

Tracks:

Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Are You Experienced?: Introduction
Are You Experienced?: On being hit on the head
Are You Experienced?: Dance
Are You Experienced?: On being hit on the head (reprise)
Are You Experienced?: On hearing the voice of God
Are You Experienced?: Drop
Are You Experienced?: On hearing the siren's song
Under Orpheus: I Aria
Under Orpheus: II Chorale
Grand Pianola Music: Part I
Grand Pianola Music: Slow
Grand Pianola Music: Part II: On the Dominant Divide

Customer Reviews:

questionable pairing.......2001-04-22

Being a huge fan of Adams' music, I find it uncomfortable for me to give any of his recordings less than 4 stars, yet here I am doing just that.

Dan Berk's review is dead on in terms of several of the problems I have with this recording. In terms of length, the Adams portion of the cd is less than that of David Lang. Whether this was an honest mistake or not by the Chandos Dig label is irrelevant, but does take away from the overall effect of the cd. The fact remains that Adams should be granted more space on the cd.

While I disagree with the prior review in that I found Lang's pieces listenable and at moments interesting, I have to question the placement of these 2 composers together on the same cd. Their styles do not match well at all and left me with a very unsatisfying feeling.

As for the recordings themselves, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble plays Adam's pieces quite competently, especially the famous "Short Ride in a Fast Machine." Lawrence Odom's arrangement of the pieces for the ensemble was wonderfully done, accentuating the ensemble's many strengths. While "Short Ride" can be had elsewhere, the ensemble's vision of it is quite good.

Their rendition of "Grand Pianola Music," however, leaves much to be desired. While the playing is fine, the detail paid to it seems at moments to be lacking, as does the wonderful exhilleration that Adams cajoles out of the last movement. Moscow's conducting falls flat in this case.

The Adams pieces can be had elsewhere, and this recording does not come highly recommended unless you are interested in hearing Lang's pieces. Again, the pairing is questionable and takes away from the overall effect of the cd.

Not the Best Pairings for Good Adams Works.......2001-01-18

From purely the standpoint of length, the two works by David Lang dominate slightly over the two works by John Adams. To me this is unfortunate, as I found the Lang works extremely difficult to understand and downright unpleasant.

The Adams works are excellent, but there are better places to find them. "Short Ride on a Fast Machine" is available on three other CD's, and "Grand Pianola Music" is available by the London Sinfonietta, coupled with Adams' "Chamber Symphony". Pursue the Adams there and avoid the Lang.

Track Listings: