KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: John Adams (Feb. 1989), 2 of 2
Analog Audio
Event Type
Interview and MusicOrigin
KPFAIdentifier
MC.1989.02.16.BProgram Series
Morning ConcertProgram Length
114 minPart
2 of 2Dates
1989-02-16 | broadcast| 1989-02-16 | created
Description
From a program recorded on February 16, 1989, Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer John Adams, whose blockbuster opera ”Nixon in China,” written in collaboration with director Peter Sellers and poet Alice Goodman, had just been released on CD. This recording with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s with Edo de Waart conducting, features singers John Duykers and Stephanie Friedman among others. The opera tells the story of Nixon’s trip to China and features a host off famous figures including Richard and Pat Nixon, Chou En Lai, Henry Kissinger and Chairman Mao himself. Selections from the recording are heard, in addition to a discussion of Adam’s other orchestral and operatic projects. Adams talks about his recent forays into the world of conducting, travels to the Soviet Union, and the popularity of minimal or repetitive music. Adams also touches upon the challenges of incorporating music from other cultures and periods in a manner that is less appropriation and more sublimation.Genres
New musicOperas
Musical Selections
Nixon in China [excerpt from Act I, Scene III, libretto by Alice Goodman] (1985-87) (9:13) / John Adams -- Fearful Symmetries, for orchestra [excerpt] (1988) (5:32) / John AdamsPerformers
Sanford Sylvan, baritone, Chou En-Lai (Nixon)James Maddalena, baritone, Richard Nixon (Nixon)
Thomas Hammons, baritone, Henry Kissinger (Nixon)
Mari Opatz, mezzo-soprano, 1st Secretary (Nixon)
Stephanie Friedman, mezzo-soprano, 2nd Secretary (Nixon)
Marion Dry, mezzo-soprano, 3rd Secretary (Nixon)
John Duykers, tenor, Mao Tse-Tung (Nixon)
Carolann Page, soprano, Pat Nixon (Nixon)
Trudy Ellen Craney, soprano, Madame Mao (Nixon)
Orchestra of St. Luke’s (Nixon ; Fearful)
Edo de Waart, conductor (Nixon)
John Adams, conductor (Fearful)
Subjects
New musicMinimal music
Operas -- Excerpts
Orchestral music
Acknowledgment
Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts.Related places
Berkeley (Calif.) (was recorded at)Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)
Related Entities
Orchestra of St. Luke’sAmirkhanian, Charles
Adams, John, 1947-
Goodman, Alice
Sylvan, Sanford
Maddalena, James
Hammons, Thomas
Opatz, Mari
Friedman, Stephanie
Dry, Marion
Page, Carolann
Duykers, John
Craney, Trudy Ellen
De Waart, Edo