Columbia University honors John Luther Adams, “one of the most original musical thinkers of the new century” (The New Yorker) in this three-night concert series.
American composer John Luther Adams has always forged his own path. From his small cabin in Alaska, he has written works of great beauty and depth, ultimately earning him the Pulitzer Prize. His music invokes the natural world: the power of the seas, the vastness of the tundra, the slow-moving sculpture of clouds. Dive deep into Adams’ music with a trilogy of his unforgettable large-scale works — none of them previously played in New York— composed in honor of those who influenced him most: his mother, father, and friend and mentor Lou Harrison.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
ALL performances @ 8 PM
Night One: Clouds of Forgetting, Clouds of Unknowing
Shimmering and clear, this music evokes the Arctic light and expansive landscapes, with movements such as Lost Chorales, Forgotten Triads, and Clouds of Perfect Fourths.
Night Two: for Lou Harrison
Lush colors and cascading harmonies capture the joy, and longing, at the heart of this tribute to Adams’ friend and mentor.
Night Three: In the White Silence
This iconic piece invites listeners into the heart of Adams’ sonic world: a celebration of wholeness, stillness, space, light, and being.
