Adams: Piano, Vocal and Chamber Works

John Adams is a composer whose works are shaped by the full spectrum of American music and are equally rooted in both the classical and Romantic traditions, which define his sense of structure, harmony, and expressive line. Both *Short Ride in a Fast Machine* and *Road Movies* combine this aesthetic with an unmistakable rhythmic drive that has made these pieces some of his most timeless works, while *Roll Over Beethoven* demonstrates just how far Adams has strayed from traditional minimalism. With the lyrical expressiveness of the arias from his stage works and the transparency of *I Still Play*—reminiscent of an encounter between Satie and Bill Evans—this program serves as a striking reminder of what makes John Adams one of the most versatile and influential composers of our time.