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ON NOW : In Tune
Trevor Pinnock, Akram Khan, David Pountney

In Tune Sean Rafferty with choreographer Akram Khan, live music from harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock

Composer of the Week

Image for From Ellington to Schoenberg

Sorry, this episode is not currently available on BBC iPlayer Radio

From Ellington to Schoenberg

Duration:
1 hour
First broadcast:
Wednesday 05 September 2012

Before John Adams conducts his opera Nixon In China this evening at the Proms, today's programme explores his works that were written on a more intimate scale. In conversation with the composer, Donald Macleod looks at a 'virtuoso monstrosity' - the sequel to his Chamber Symphony, one of his earliest pieces for tape and strings, and his recent string quartet. They discuss the traces of Schoenberg, Ives and even Duke Ellington that can be heard in Adams's music.

Music Played

12 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
  • Image for John Adams

    John Adams Short ride in a fast machine for orchestra

    Conductor: Edo de Waart Performer: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

    Nonesuch, 7559-79144-2, -4

  • Image for John Adams

    John Adams Son of chamber symphony

    Conductor: John ADAMS Performer: International Contemporary Ensemble

    Nonesuch, 7559-79800, -3

  • Image for John Adams

    John Adams Christian zeal and activity

    Conductor: Edo de Waart Performer: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

    Nonesuch, 7559-79144-2, -2

  • Image for John Adams

    John Adams String Quartet (2008)

    Performer: St Lawrence String Quartet

    Nonesuch, 7559-79800-8, -4

  • 00:03
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams Short ride in a fast machine

    Nonesuch
  • 00:11
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams Son of Chamber Symphony mvt 3

    Nonesuch
  • 00:21
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams American standard ? Christian zeal and activity

    Nonesuch
  • 00:36
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams String Quartet mvt. 1

    Nonesuch
  • 00:04
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams Short ride in a fast machine

    Nonesuch
  • 00:12
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams Son of Chamber Symphony mvt 3

    Nonesuch
  • 00:22
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams American standard ? Christian zeal and activity

    Nonesuch
  • 00:38
    Image for John Adams

    John Adams String Quartet mvt. 1

    Nonesuch

Broadcasts

Composers A to Z

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Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Free downloads

  1. Image for Composer Of The Week

    Composer Of The Week

    Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composers. Composer Of The Week is one of BBC Radio 3's...

  2. Image for Composer of the Week A – G

    Composer of the Week A – G

    Discover the life and works of the world's greatest composers with these free downloads from the...

  3. Image for Composer of the Week H – Q

    Composer of the Week H – Q

    Discover the life and works of the world's greatest composers with these free downloads from the...

  4. Image for Composer of the Week R - Z

    Composer of the Week R - Z

    Discover the life and works of the world's greatest composers with these free downloads from the...

  5. Image for Spirit of Schubert

    Spirit of Schubert

    BBC Radio 3 tells you everything you need to know about Franz Schubert. These free downloads will...

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