{"id":1087,"date":"2010-05-21T20:29:54","date_gmt":"2010-05-21T19:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2011-01-06T15:10:42","modified_gmt":"2011-01-06T14:10:42","slug":"another-adams-composer-john-luther-adams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/2010\/05\/21\/another-adams-composer-john-luther-adams\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Adams: composer John Luther Adams."},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s always exciting to discover a new composer whose musical language instantly appeals to you.<\/p>\n

I can still recall the exact moment when I first heard a piece by Steve Reich: Vermount Counterpoint. <\/em>I was immediately hooked.\u00a0 A pal at school had made a compilation tape of pieces for me, including Eight Lines, Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ, Six Pianos<\/em>, and\u00a0a piece by another Minimalist, John Adams, Grand Pianola Music<\/em>. Now my listening library is dominated by these two composers.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/a>I’ve recently discovered another Adams: John Luther Adams<\/a>, whose hypnotic music occupies a similar niche. The beautiful soundscape of In a Treeless Place, Only Snow<\/em>\u00a0 is a delicate gem.<\/p>\n

Listen to it for yourself: In a Treeless Place, Only Snow<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

And if you like that, try this: The Farthest Place<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Both performances by the American Contemporary Music Ensemble, with other pieces streamed from\u00a0WXQR, the classical radio station in New\u00a0York’s\u00a0website here<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n

(And continuing the leap into the Digital Age:\u00a0you’re now using a media player on this blog as well.\u00a0Blogs,\u00a0virtual magazines,\u00a0video-clips, floating media player: the modernisation continues!)<\/p>\n

So, what music struck you like a thunderbolt early on and has stayed with you ever since ?<\/p>\n