Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
John Luther Adams's super imaginative and atmospheric piece "Arctic Dreams" is described as both warmly seductive and intense—a work whose seven sections bloom with passion as they map a musical journey through landscapes real and imagined. George Grella wrote in the New York Classical Review, “Adams’s manner is that of Thoreau—to be in a place, incorporate it into his memory and values, and recreate that through music. It misses the point to say he is inspired by nature—Adams is changed by nature and his music is a catalogue of the places that changed him.” Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, has called Adams “one of the most original musical thinkers of the new century.”
Adams stated about this piece:
"Arctic Dreams was the first music I composed in my 'aeolian' sound world, which grew out of my experiences listening to wind harps on the tundra. It is scored for four string players, four singers, and three layers of digital delay. The harmonies of this music arise from the first seven odd-numbered harmonics above the low D of the double bass. Extensive retuning of the strings is employed, with only the C string of the cello at its usual pitch. As in several of my later string quartets, all the string sounds are produced by natural harmonics, or open strings. The sung text is a series of 'Arctic Litanies,' composed of the names of Arctic places, plants, birds, weather, and seasons, in the languages of the Iñupiat and Gwich’in peoples of Alaska. The digital delays create a virtual choir and string orchestra in 32-part canonic textures, with delay times ranging from 1.125 to 32 seconds. Arctic Dreams is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend Barry Lopez, and is titled after one of his greatest books."
COMPOSER: John Luther Adams
ENSEMBLE: Robin Lorentz, violin; Ron Lawrence, viola; Michael Finckel, cello; Robert Black, double bass
VOCALISTS: Synergy Vocals (Micaela Haslam, soprano; Amanda Morrison, soprano; Heather Cairncross, alto; Simon Grant, bass)
TRACKLIST:
0:00 - I. The Place Where You Go to Listen
6:25 - II. Pointed Mountains Scattered All Around
13:40 - III. The Circle of Suns and Moons
21:32 - IV. The Circle of Winds
28:47 - V. River with No Willows
35:16 - VI. One That Stays All Winter
42:15 - VII. Where the Waves Splash Hitting Again and Again
Please be aware that all of the music (and images) featured in this video belong to their respective owners, and I or this channel does not claim any right over them. I upload these solely for archiving purposes, and for the sharing and enjoyment of great music. Monetization is not enabled. If you are the rightful owner of copyrighted material used and would like the video removed from YouTube, please, instead of reporting/striking my channel, leave a comment below with your statement and I will take the video down effective immediately.
John Luther Adams's super imaginative and atmospheric piece "Arctic Dreams" is described as both warmly seductive and intense—a work whose seven sections bloom with passion as they map a musical journey through landscapes real and imagined. George Grella wrote in the New York Classical Review, “Adams’s manner is that of Thoreau—to be in a place, incorporate it into his memory and values, and recreate that through music. It misses the point to say he is inspired by nature—Adams is changed by nature and his music is a catalogue of the places that changed him.” Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, has called Adams “one of the most original musical thinkers of the new century.”
Adams stated about this piece:
"Arctic Dreams was the first music I composed in my 'aeolian' sound world, which grew out of my experiences listening to wind harps on the tundra. It is scored for four string players, four singers, and three layers of digital delay. The harmonies of this music arise from the first seven odd-numbered harmonics above the low D of the double bass. Extensive retuning of the strings is employed, with only the C string of the cello at its usual pitch. As in several of my later string quartets, all the string sounds are produced by natural harmonics, or open strings. The sung text is a series of 'Arctic Litanies,' composed of the names of Arctic places, plants, birds, weather, and seasons, in the languages of the Iñupiat and Gwich’in peoples of Alaska. The digital delays create a virtual choir and string orchestra in 32-part canonic textures, with delay times ranging from 1.125 to 32 seconds. Arctic Dreams is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend Barry Lopez, and is titled after one of his greatest books."
COMPOSER: John Luther Adams
ENSEMBLE: Robin Lorentz, violin; Ron Lawrence, viola; Michael Finckel, cello; Robert Black, double bass
VOCALISTS: Synergy Vocals (Micaela Haslam, soprano; Amanda Morrison, soprano; Heather Cairncross, alto; Simon Grant, bass)
TRACKLIST:
0:00 - I. The Place Where You Go to Listen
6:25 - II. Pointed Mountains Scattered All Around
13:40 - III. The Circle of Suns and Moons
21:32 - IV. The Circle of Winds
28:47 - V. River with No Willows
35:16 - VI. One That Stays All Winter
42:15 - VII. Where the Waves Splash Hitting Again and Again
Please be aware that all of the music (and images) featured in this video belong to their respective owners, and I or this channel does not claim any right over them. I upload these solely for archiving purposes, and for the sharing and enjoyment of great music. Monetization is not enabled. If you are the rightful owner of copyrighted material used and would like the video removed from YouTube, please, instead of reporting/striking my channel, leave a comment below with your statement and I will take the video down effective immediately.
![Randall Woolf — Shakedown (1990) [w/ score]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lptGev_iKj0/mqdefault.jpg "Randall Woolf — Shakedown (1990) [w/ score]
Randall Woolf studied composition privately with David Del Tredici and Joseph Maneri, and at Harvard. Recent commissions include works for the Seattle Symphony, Paul Dresher Ensemble, Dogs of Desire orchestra, and a new ballet of Where the Wild Things Are, in collaboration with Maurice Sendak and Septime Webre. His works have also been performed by Kathleen Supové, Bang on a Can/SPIT Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, David Leisner, Twisted Tutu, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and others.
This is Woolf’s very exciting and driving “Shakedown” for chamber orchestra. Robert Carl wrote in the notes of this CD, “Rock Steady” where this recording originates:
“A brilliant sense of orchestration. This applies above all to Randy’s writing for mixed ensembles, such as Shakedown (1990, written for Alea III). Here thirteen players create a sound whose fullness is truly orchestral. Colors are bright and contrasting, sharp and primary, like the best Pop Art. Attacks are edgy and intense, etching lines with the quick violence of a knife-slice. And the music can shrink and balloon in an instant, moving from full-throated tuttis to delicate two-part melody/accompaniment textures.”
COMPOSER: Randall Woolf
CONDUCTOR: Bradley Lubman
ENSEMBLE: New Millennium Ensemble + Meridian Arts Ensemble
Please be aware that all of the music (and images) featured in this video belong to their respective owners, and I or this channel does not claim any right over them. I upload these solely for archiving purposes, and for the sharing and enjoyment of great music. Monetization is not enabled. If you are the rightful owner of copyrighted material used and would like the video removed from YouTube, please, instead of reporting/striking my channel, leave a comment below with your statement and I will take the video down effective immediately.
#scorefollower #contemporaryclassical #classicalmusic")
