REVIEW: Beethoven Influences 'John Adams: Absolute Jest & Grand Pianola Music' >>
Diving in as close to an artist's mind as possible is an obsession for most art-lovers. For musicians, our heroes of composition are especially aloof because of the language they use: a language that exists to say what words could never say. This makes it extremely difficult to get inside their head... yet we always feel like we know them. Composer John Adams seems to feel this way towards Beethoven, as he told Classical NPR's 'Deceptive Cadence'. When examining the influence of Beethoven in John Adams's latest album, 'Absolute Jest & Grand Pianola Music', the first of its two pieces (his eponymous concerto) could almost be likened to a matryoshka doll, or "nesting" doll.
NYCS Presents 'For Those We've Loved' at Carnegie Hall: Works by John Adams, Paul Hindemith >>
The New York Choral Society will be presenting a concert at Carnegie Hall titled 'For Those We’ve Loved.' The program will include "On the Transmigration of Souls" by John Adams and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d" by Paul Hindemith.
NYC Mayor de Blasio, Leon Klinghoffer's Daughters Respond to the Met's 'Death of Klinghoffer' Controversy >>
The Metropolitan Opera's new production of The Death of Klinghoffer, drew not only theater enthusiasts but a swarm of angry protesters, as well. The controversial performance, penned by minimalist composer John Adams, portrays the death of Leon Klinghoffer--a 69-year-old, wheelchair-bound Jewish American--by Palestinian hijackers while aboard a cruise with his wife in October 1985.
Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki to Lead, NYPD to Join Metropolitan Opera Protests for John Adams' 'The Death of Klinghoffer' on Opening Night >>
NYPD and protestors will congregate in front of Lincoln Center for the premiere of The Metropolitan Opera's latest staging of John Adams' controversial (and equally brilliant) The Death of Klinghoffer. Joining in their voice, too, is opera advocate and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
On Edibles at the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's 'Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series' Red Rocks Concert >>
The Colorado Symphony has ended its run of its invite-only "Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series" concerts last month. To recap: The CSO now allows the partaking of marijuana and alcoholic drinks during their performances. To wit, the musicians themselves are no longer required to wear tuxedos. Fittingly for a regular pot smoker, the OC Weekly's Chris Walker posted their review of their end of summer Red Rocks performance a month late. To join in the festivities, proper, Walker first went shopping for edibles at a local dispensary: the Denver Wellness Center.
Cheating, Lying, Stealing: John Adams Talks to the Independent About What Makes a Good Composer a Great One >>
Most know that old adage, coined by Picasso (or Stravinsky): "Good artists copy, great artists steal." And the acid-tongued, quasi-minimalist composer John Adams has heard it more than most.
Classicalite Recording News: Aurora Orchestra Signs to Warner Classics for Three-Album Deal, Feat. Ives, Adams, Muhly, Paul Simon >>
Warner Classics has signed the U.K.'s Aurora Orchestra to a three-album deal. This is the first announced signing for Warner under the new regime (since the acquisition of what was the EMI and Virgin Classics catalogs, and an artists and repertoire process that is now run by Alain Lanceron and Jean-Philippe Roland, both from the EMI ranks).
Spoleto Festival USA Announces 2014 Season, Featuring Operas by John Adams, Michael Nyman >>
The Spoleto Festival USA recently announced its 2014 season, to be held May 23 through June 8 in Charleston, S.C. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at spoletousa.org starting on Monday, December 9.
Five Quickies: JAMES LEVINE BACK at the MET, James Rhodes on Gramos, Darcy James Argue on John Adams, John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" Birthday Viz >>
Here, then, is today's news.
Ravinia Festival Presents the Midwest Première of John Adams' 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' >>
Chicago's Ravinia Festival presents the midwest première of John Adams' oratorio 'The Gospel According to the Other Mary' on September 7.
Five Quickies: Marc Spitz on 'Revenge and Guilt,' Tom Stoppard on Pink Floyd, Jonas Kaufman in Australia, John Adams in Australia, Cincinnati Reds Ballet >>
News gets made fresh everyday.
Off Broadway Closing: Jessica Dickey's 'Charles Ives Take Me Home' [PHOTOS] >>
When a father's love of music clashes with his daughter's passion for basketball, modernist composer Charles Ives is the perfect referee.
Colin Matthews’ New Work and Its Great Title, 'Nowhere to Hide' >>
Some composers are good at titles for their music. Others aren't. Most don't bother, as Classicalite reflects when we hear that so-and-so has written his "Symphony No. 1." Aren't there one or two or those around already?
WATCH: Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Webumentary Film Series >>
In the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's innovative Webumentary Film Series, Music Director Marin Alsop--the first female conductor to lead "Last Night at the Proms"--gives a unique, often personal view of the season's most highly anticipated concerts.
