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November 06, 2007
John Luther Adams: for Lou Harrison
From its lushly romantic opening gesture to its final, not-exactly-conclusive chord over an hour later, John Luther Adams’ for Lou Harrison is a captivating musical experience. Adams’ command of harmony and his seemingly unerring sense of scale and musical respiration fully complement his keen ear for instrumental color. He is a composer in full control of what he wants to do.
The quietude and openness of Lou Harrison’s music is reflected in this remembrance, but there is no hint of quotation or imitation. Adams’ musical personality comes through clearly.
For Lou Harrison is ambitious and intimate, a personal and elegiac meditation. The opening gesture I mentioned recurs throughout the piece, functioning as a structural marker as well as a ritual of honor and remembrance. Stephen Drury leads the Callithumpian Consort in a sensitive, committed reading of the challenging music. New World’s sound is clean and warm, appropriate to the music.
Very highly recommended.
Originally posted by Steve Hicken from Sequenza21/, ReBlogged by newmusicrebloggers on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:11 PM