Search - Adams, Ens Diagonales, Orch Phil :: Fearful Symmetries / Chamber Sym 4 / 4 Songs

Good, not great

Daniel Johnson | 12/28/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"These are all exciting pieces, but those interested in the music of John Adams would probably do better to start elsewhere. It's hard to imagine a better recording of the Chamber Symphony than that by Ensemble Modern--if you're able to find it--and Fearful Symmetries is recorded on the same Nonesuch Records disc as Adams' essential orchestral song 'The Wound-Dresser.' The 'Four Songs,' from the song-play 'I Was Looking at the Ceiling and then I Saw the Sky,' are masterpieces of American text-setting. To hear them sung with thick French accents is positively unheimlich. The songs are definitely worth a listen, and the Nonesuch recording of 'Ceiling/Sky' is a little lifeless, but "A Sermon on Romance" (for example) is performed so superbly on that disc that this rendition is agonizing by comarison. Likewise, 'Christian Zeal and Activity,' not one of Adams' most memorable pieces in the first place, is seriously overshadowed by the recording on Nonesuch Records, on which it is paired with more interesting and popular pieces than these. Though I must point out: any Adams completists out there should take note of "The Earthquake"--this is the first available recording of this music. It's a very interesting "rock-instrumental" style movement from 'Ceiling/Sky' that was not included on the Nonesuch disc."