CXXI. ADAMS, John: Harmonielehre

CXXI. ADAMS, John (1947-       )

Harmonielehre (1985)
1. Part I
2. The Anfortas Wound
3. Meister Eckhardt and Quackie
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Simon Rattle, cond.
(40:32)

First Movement

What Adams calls "choral gates" begins with a massive E minor chord spread out among the entire large orchestra, with the upper winds playing harmonized arepeggios.

The music gradually shifts keys as little motifs:

jump on top of the repetitive chords. Soon a melodic strain in the winds soars above the eighth-note arpeggios, now in the lower strings -- staccato notes from the trumpets ...

Second Movement

Basses, divisi a 4, rumble out carefully spaced chords, while muted celli proclaim a slithering melody.

Tension builds as motifs ascend:

and descend:

Third Movement