John Adams' "Doctor Atomic" is a monumental work that blends the boundaries of minimalism, avant-garde, and opera, offering a profound and immersive experience. Released on Nonesuch in 2018, this album spans an impressive two hours and thirty-seven minutes, delving into the complex narrative and musical intricacies of the creation of the atomic bomb. Adams, known for his innovative compositions, crafts a gripping tale that intertwines historical events with poetic reflections, creating a rich tapestry of sound and drama. The opera's libretto, drawn from various sources including poetry and scientific documents, adds layers of depth and thought-provoking commentary. With its sweeping orchestral passages, intricate vocal lines, and haunting choral moments, "Doctor Atomic" is a testament to Adams' genius and his ability to convey the weight of historical events through music. This album is a must-experience for those who appreciate the fusion of art and history, offering a unique perspective on one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century.
Adams: Doctor Atomic: OvertureJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The end of June 1945"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "First of all, let me say"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "We surround the plutonium core"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "We are bedeviled by faulty detonators"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "Many of us are inclined to say"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The nation's fate..."John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "This is a petition"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "What if it's a dud?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The test must go on as scheduled"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "No, before the bomb is used"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "Am I in your light?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "Long let me inhale, deeply"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "The motive of it all was loneliness"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: Electrical stormJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "What the hell is wrong with the weather?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Five hundred U.S. Superfortresses are raining bombs"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "I'll sign the report, sir"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "With respect, sir, anyone with two good eyes"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "I have been preoccupied with many matters"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Get them out of here. From now on, I'm making my own weather predictions"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "General, you are bearing up with remarkable fortitude"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Batter my heart"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: "Easter Eve, 1945"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: Interlude - Rain over the Sangre de CristoJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: "In the north the cloud-flower blossoms"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "It's midnight, Jack"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "I've dreamed the same dream"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "To the farthest west, the sea and the striped country"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "A delay in the Potsdam Ultimatum"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "Fermi is taking wagers"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "I've spent a great deal of time indulging in controlled fantasies"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "Edward, the test will be delayed an hour"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: PanicJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "This program has been plagued from the start"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "To keep the weakness secret"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "I just finished reading The Magic Mountain"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "The winter dawned, but the dead did not come back"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "And love, which contains all human spirit"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "The only saviors are the ham sandwiches"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: Chorus - "At the sight of this"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "Lieutenant Bush, keep a weather eye on Oppenheimer"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "To what benevolent demon do I owe the joy of being thus surrounded"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "That's their signal!"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "The sky is clear to the east"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "In the midnight, in the flame-brilliant midnight"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "Zero minus two minutes"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: CountdownJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Vinylscout