John Adams' "Music From Nixon in China" is a captivating collection of highlights from his groundbreaking opera, originally premiered in 1987. This album, released on Nonesuch in 2005, offers a unique blend of minimalism, avant-garde, and operatic grandeur, showcasing Adams' distinctive compositional style. Conducted by Edo de Waart and performed by the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the album captures the essence of Adams' operatic masterpiece, which recounts the historic 1972 visit of Richard Nixon to China. With a runtime of just over an hour, the album features 16 tracks that span key moments from the opera, including the dramatic "Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky," the evocative "Landing of the Spirit of '76," and the intense "Whip Her to Death!" From the ceremonial to the intimate, these selections provide a compelling introduction to one of the most frequently performed contemporary operas. Adams, known for his innovative approach to music, brings a fresh perspective to historical events, making this album a fascinating exploration of music and history intertwined.
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "The People Are the Heroes Now"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: Landing of the Spirit of '76John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "Your Flight Was Smooth, I Hope?"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: "News Has a Kind of Mystery"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan, James Maddalena, Thomas Hammons
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 3: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sanford Sylvan
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 3: "Mr. Premier, Distinguished Guests"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 3: CheersJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, James Maddalena, Carolann Page, Sanford Sylvan, Thomas Hammons
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 1: "This Is Prophetic!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 1: "At Last the Weather's Warming up"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 1: BeginningJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Oh What a Day I Thought I'd Die!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "Whip Her to Death!"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Thomas Hammons, James Maddalena
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: Tropical StormJohn Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Carolann Page
Adams: Nixon in China, Act II, Scene 2: "I Am the Wife of Mao Tse-tung"John Adams, Edo de Waart, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Trudy Ellen Craney
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