Biography of John Adams


John Adams is an American composer, born in Worcester, Massachusetts.

As a clarinetist, Adams graduated from Harvard. In 1969, he received a bachelor’s degree, and in 1971 – a master of arts.

He is often called the most outstanding, technically savvy in music, the most influential composer of his generation. Adams wrote in a variety of genres, giving his compositions an acute sense of theatrical, folk art.

A characteristic feature of his works is the blending of post-minimalism with great emotion, a string of expressive tonal elements dating back to late Romanticism and early modernism. Adams’s strong and vibrant music can be presented with a witty life-affirming sense of humor, and also an undeniably modern atmosphere of grief and horror.

Biography of John Adams is known for his operas on topical themes. For example, “Nixon in China”, “The Death of Klinghoffer”, “Doctor Atomic”. Among his other works: Shaker Loops, Harmonielehre, Fearful Symmetries, I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, El Dorado, 1993 concert for violin, Lollapalooza, Gnarly Buttons “for clarinet and orchestra,” Naive and Sentimental Music “.

The works written in Adams biography in the 21st century: “El Nino”, “On the Transmigration of Souls”, a thoughtful work in memory of the victims of September 11, 2001 – for orchestra, chorus, “A Flowering Tree” – lyrical opera based on folk tale.


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Biography of John Adams