Immerse yourself in the captivating world of John Adams' "The John Adams Edition," a monumental collection released on November 10, 2017, by the esteemed Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. This sprawling four-and-a-half-hour journey through the realms of minimalism, avant-garde, and opera showcases the extraordinary range and depth of Adams' compositional genius.
The album opens with "Harmonielehre," a three-movement orchestral work that blends complex harmonic structures with rhythmic drive, demonstrating Adams' unique ability to merge intellectual rigor with visceral excitement. "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" follows, offering a thrilling, kinetic experience that lives up to its title.
The album then delves into the dramatic and atmospheric "City Noir," a three-part orchestral work inspired by the cinematic landscapes of urban life. Adams' orchestration paints vivid sonic pictures, from the bustling cityscape of "The City and Its Double" to the sultry allure of "Boulevard Night."
The second half of the album is dominated by Adams' monumental oratorio, "The Gospel According to the Other Mary." This sprawling, multi-movement work draws on biblical texts and contemporary poetry to tell the story of Mary Magdalene, blending ancient narratives with modern sensibilities. The piece is a tour de force of orchestration and vocal writing, featuring powerful choral passages, evocative solo arias, and moments of profound intimacy and drama.
The album concludes with "Scheherazade.2," a four-movement work inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Adams' music weaves a tapestry of sounds that evoke the exotic and the familiar, the ancient and the modern, culminating in a thrilling musical journey that leaves a lasting impression.
Throughout "The John Adams Edition," Adams' music challenges and engages, offering a rich and rewarding listening experience that showcases his unique voice and extraordinary talent. Whether you're a longtime fan of Adams' work or a newcomer to his music, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
2017 Berlin Phil Media GmbH2017 Berlin Phil Media GmbH
Tracks
Harmonielehre: I.John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker
Harmonielehre: II. The Anfortas WoundJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker
Harmonielehre: III. Meister Eckhardt and QuackieJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker
Short Ride in a Fast MachineJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Alan Gilbert
City Noir: I. The City and Its DoubleJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Gustavo Dudamel
City Noir: II. The Song Is for YouJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Gustavo Dudamel
City Noir: III. Boulevard NightJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Gustavo Dudamel
LollapaloozaJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Alan Gilbert
Scheherazade. 2: I. Tale of the Wise Young Woman β Pursuit by the True BelieversJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Leila Josefowicz
Scheherazade. 2: II. A Long Desire (Love Scene)John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Leila Josefowicz
Scheherazade. 2: III. Scheherazade and the Men with BeardsJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Leila Josefowicz
Scheherazade. 2: IV. Escape, Flight, SanctuaryJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Leila Josefowicz
The Wound-DresserJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Georg Nigl, Kirill Petrenko
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 1: The Next Day in the City JailJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 1: Now a Certain Woman Named MarthaJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Tamara Mumford
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 2: And She Had a Sister Named MaryJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Tamara Mumford
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 2: I Am Surprised That I Am Beginning to Pray DailyJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Now a Certain Man Was SickJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Lazarus Dies While His Sisters Await JesusJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Why Standest Thou Afar off, O Lord?John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Tamara Mumford, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: In My Own Quietly Explosive HereJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor, Tamara Mumford, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Don't Touch My Left ArmJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: When Mary Was Come Where Jesus WasJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Jesus Said, Take Ye Away the StoneJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Tamara Mumford, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: And When He Thus Had SpokenJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 3: Chorus "Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above"John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 4: Then Jesus Six Days Before the PassoverJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Daniel Bubeck, Sir Simon Rattle
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 4: For the Grave Cannot Praise TheeJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Peter Hoare
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 4: Then Took Mary a Pound of OintmentJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Kelley O'Connor, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 5: And There Were Some That Had Indignation Within ThemselvesJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Peter Hoare, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 5: We Know There Will Be No UtopiasJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Tamara Mumford, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act I Scene 5: Tell Me, How Is This Night DifferentJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Peter Hoare
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 1: Chorus "Who Rips His Own Flesh Down the Seams"John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 1: Martha and Mary, Not KnowingJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Peter Hoare
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 2: IntroductionJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 2: Up at Two a.m., Picketed All DayJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Tamara Mumford
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 2: The Said DefendantsJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Tamara Mumford
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 2: Chorus "Jesus, Incomparable Perdonador de Injurias"John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 3: And They Were Come unto a Place Called GolgothaJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 3: Daughters of Jerusalem, Weep Not for MeJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 3: Now There Stood by the Cross of JesusJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Tamara Mumford, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 3: When Jesus Saw His MotherJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 4: When the Rain Began to FallJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 4: On Earth When He Heard the First RainJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 4: His Son Cried Out to HimJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Peter Hoare
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 5: Now in the Place Where He Was Crucified There Was a GardenJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 5: Mary Awakens on the Third MorningJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 5: Chorus "It Is Spring"John Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Kelley O'Connor
The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Act II Scene 6: And, Behold, There Was a Great EarthquakeJohn Adams, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle, Kelley O'Connor, Tamara Mumford, Peter Hoare, Daniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Nathan Medley
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