Related Objects

KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: John Adams’ “Nixon in China” and an interview with Harvey Sollberger, 1 of 2

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

MC.1988.03.10.c1.A

Program Series

Morning Concert

Program Length

128 min

Part

1 of 2

Dates

1988-03-10 | broadcast
| 1988-03-10 | created

Description

This program, recorded on March 10, 1988, begins with Charles Amirkhanian’s brief interview with composer Harvey Sollberger in which they discuss two of Sollberger’s works, “Persian Golf” and “Three or Four Things I Know About the Oboe.” The two are then joined by composer John Adams for a discussion about the state of New Music in the San Francisco Bay Area. The bulk of the program is then dedicated to John Adams’ blockbuster opera “Nixon in China.” This masterwork of contemporary opera was written in collaboration with director Peter Sellars and poet Alice Goodman, and at the time of this recording was just about to be released on compact disc. This recording of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s production (December, 1987, NY) features singers John Duykers and Carolann Page, among others. The opera tells the story of President Richard Nixon’s trip to China and features a host of famous figures including Nixon and his wife Pat, Chou Enlai, Henry Kissinger and Chairman Mao himself. Selections from the recording are heard, in addition to a discussion of Adams’ other orchestral and operatic projects. (from KPFA Folio)

Genres

20th century classical
Operas

Musical Selections

Three or Four Things I Know About the Oboe [excerpts] (1986) / Harvey Sollberger -- [ Act 1, Scene 1 of “Nixon in China”] (1985-87) / John Adams

Performers

James P. Ostryniec, oboe (Three)
Sanford Sylvan, baritone, Cho Enlai, (Nixon)
James Maddalena, baritone, Nixon, (Nixon)
Orchestra of St. Luke’s (Nixon)
Edo de Waart, conductor (Nixon)

Subjects

20th century classical
Concertos (Oboe with instrumental ensemble)
Operas -- Excerpts
Minimal music

Acknowledgment

Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by Save America’s Treasures, a program of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Related places

Berkeley (Calif.) (was recorded at)
Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Amirkhanian, Charles
Sollberger, Harvey
Ostryniec, James P.
Adams, John, 1947-
Goodman, Alice
Sylvan, Sanford
Maddalena, James
De Waart, Edo