http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2360&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rssJohn Adams is one of the most popular of contemporary composers, but this should hardly come as a surprise, as his work is vibrant, propulsive, exuberant and muscular. Unlike his Minimalist forebears -- Terry Riley, La Monte Young, Steve Reich -- Adams is loathe to work only within the confines of a system marked by its static nature, relying as it does upon repetition. The composer is a self-described "post-Minimalist," as much of his work utilizes the hypnotic, circular and (of course) repetitive rhythms found in the genre. However, it also displays ample variety in terms of sweeping dynamic shifts, changes in tonality and a willingness to indulge in decidedly dramatic developments. This is evident in his wonderful 1985 work <I>Harmonielehre</I>, in which the opening chords crash upon the listener with all the impact of an 18-wheeler being driven through a wall, leaving you with the same breathless feeling a Beethoven symphony can produce. The rush provided by the first movement is contrasted with the more subdued, lush and almost neo-Romantic second movement. In the third and final section, Adams allows for more than one tonal center, creating a kind of struggle that pushes the music forward with unshakeable vigor. - Will LernerMinimalismen720Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:56:43 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2360&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss John Adams is one of the most popular of contemporary composers, but this should hardly come as a surprise, as his work is vibrant, propulsive, exuberant and muscular. Unlike his Minimalist forebears -- Terry Riley, La Monte Young, Steve Reich -- Adams is loathe to work only within the confines of a system marked by its static nature, relying as it does upon repetition. The composer is a self-described "post-Minimalist," as much of his work utilizes the hypnotic, circular and (of course) repetitive rhythms found in the genre. However, it also displays ample variety in terms of sweeping dynamic shifts, changes in tonality and a willingness to indulge in decidedly dramatic developments. This is evident in his wonderful 1985 work <I>Harmonielehre</I>, in which the opening chords crash upon the listener with all the impact of an 18-wheeler being driven through a wall, leaving you with the same breathless feeling a Beethoven symphony can produce. The rush provided by the first movement is contrasted with the more subdued, lush and almost neo-Romantic second movement. In the third and final section, Adams allows for more than one tonal center, creating a kind of struggle that pushes the music forward with unshakeable vigor. - Will Lerner http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.24580571&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Jazz Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:05:40 -0700 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 24580571 ply.24580571 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.24580571&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.22867291&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Classical Tue, 9 Sep 2008 08:32:28 -0700 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 22867291 ply.22867291 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.22867291&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.13495639&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Classical Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:50:52 -0800 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 13495639 ply.13495639 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.13495639&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.10868576&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Rock/Pop Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:34:05 -0800 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 10868576 ply.10868576 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.10868576&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8632945&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Classical Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:43:18 -0700 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 8632945 ply.8632945 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8632945&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8623769&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Soundtracks/Musicals Mon, 7 Dec 2009 10:13:25 -0800 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 8623769 ply.8623769 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8623769&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8604629&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss Classical Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:24:07 -0800 Playlists Featuring John Adams on Rhapsody Online 8604629 ply.8604629 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8604629&variant=play&rws=%2Fjohn-adams%2Fplaylists.rss