Adler: One Lives but Once. A 90th Birthday Celebration

Celebrating the 90th birthday of the prolific American composer Samuel Adler, "Adler: One Lives but Once" is a comprehensive collection of his orchestral works, released on Linn Records in 2018. Spanning an impressive three hours and nineteen minutes, this album offers a deep dive into Adler's diverse and dynamic compositional style, showcasing his mastery of symphonies, concertos, and suites.

The album opens with Adler's Symphony No. 1, a three-movement work that sets the tone for the collection with its gentle yet powerful opening, followed by a slow, introspective second movement, and a vigorous, rhythmic finale. The Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 follows, featuring a dynamic interplay between soloist and orchestra, with movements that range from slow and free to hard-driving and energetic.

A highlight of the collection is "Man Lebt Nur Einmal" ("One Lives but Once"), a five-movement suite that blends various dance styles, from a rumbling opening to a lively tarantella. Adler's Symphony No. 2 continues the exploration of his symphonic writing, with a triumphant finale that brings the first half of the album to a close.

The second half of the album features concertos for violin, woodwind quintet, and guitar, each showcasing Adler's ability to write for different instruments and ensembles. The Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, for example, features a vigorous first movement and a slow, expressive second movement, while the Concerto for Woodwind Quintet and Orchestra "Shir HaMa’alot" is marked by its energetic and jubilant final movement.

Other notable works include "Into the Radiant Boundaries of Light," a three-movement piece that ranges from delicate and fast to slow and freely moving, and "Ports of Call," a Mediterranean suite that evokes the spirit of various coastal cities. The album concludes with "Five Choral Scherzi," a playful and energetic set of choral pieces that showcase Adler's wit and musical inventiveness.

Throughout the album, Adler's compositions are characterized by their rhythmic vitality, expressive depth, and technical brilliance. "Adler: One Lives but Once" is a testament to the composer's enduring creativity and his significant contributions to the world of classical music. Whether you're a longtime fan of Samuel Adler or a newcomer to his work, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.