John Adams
From Vivaldi to Vaughan Williams: more musical voices who have changed our world
Over the past few months, our Know the Score series introduced 20 great composers. But what of the many we couldn’t write about? Martin Kettle suggests some other names whose music is well worth exploring
Martin Kettle
25, Nov, 2020 @1:36 PM
Nixon in China review – a gripping human drama
The seismic 1972 meeting of Mao Zedong and Richard Nixon, as depicted in John Adams’s inspired 1987 opera, still resonates in Scottish Opera’s potent new staging
Fiona Maddocks
22, Feb, 2020 @12:00 PM
Nixon in China review – slick update for tale of Tricky Dicky's schmoozing
Scottish Opera brings an inventive postmodern eye to its revival of John Adams’s retelling of Nixon’s 1972 state visit
Rowena Smith
19, Feb, 2020 @2:39 PM
Madonna, Motown and Mongolian metal: the music to listen out for in 2020
The queen of pop gets intimate, Taylor Swift feels the sunshine and Stormzy takes on the world … plus, classical celebrations begin for Beethoven’s 250th
Alexis Petridis and Andrew Clements
01, Jan, 2020 @11:00 AM
The best classical music works of the 21st century
Over the coming week, the Guardian will select the greatest culture since 2000, carefully compiled by critics and editors. We begin with a countdown of defining classical music compositions, from X-rated opera to high-tech string quartets
Andrew Clements, Fiona Maddocks. John Lewis, Kate Molleson, Tom Service, Erica Jeal and Tim Ashley
12, Sep, 2019 @4:20 PM
LSO/Rattle review – unexpected connections, irresistible immediacy
This chalk-and-cheese bill of modern titans Stravinsky, Birtwistle and Adams was brought to life with exceptional clarity and precision
Andrew Clements
02, May, 2019 @11:24 AM
NYO/Karabits review – inspired solos and sci-fi reveries
The National Youth Orchestra work hard and have fun with some frenetic percussion and inventive improv
Erica Jeal
06, Jan, 2019 @12:25 PM
John Adams: Violin Concerto review – full-blooded yet refined playing | Andrew Clements' classical album of the week
Leila Josefowicz’s passionate and engaged recording of Adams’ concerto illustrates how he has remade the form in his own, eclectic image
Andrew Clements
10, May, 2018 @2:00 PM
The John Adams Edition CD review – Berlin's lavish homage to an American great
This extensive Berlin Phil set is a treat, with some of Adams’s most substantial compositions given fine performances under the batons of the composer himself, Simon Rattle and Kirill Petrenko
Andrew Clements
29, Nov, 2017 @3:02 PM
Available Light review – a masterclass in movement
Lucinda Childs’s collaboration with Frank Gehry and John Adams remains illuminating 35 years on
Luke Jennings
09, Jul, 2017 @7:00 AM
Available Light review – Lucinda Childs' minimalist movers weave through John Adams' music
This exhilarating revival reignites the alchemy that the choreographer and the composer found with architect Frank Gehry
Judith Mackrell
07, Jul, 2017 @2:42 PM
The Exterminating Angel; Doctor Atomic review – incendiary Adès and Adams
Two living composers, two powerful operas, two striking performances
Fiona Maddocks
28, Apr, 2017 @10:20 AM
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