Terry Riley: Requiem for Adam

Terry Riley's "Requiem for Adam" is a deeply personal and evocative album, released on September 4, 2001, under the Nonesuch label. This captivating work is a tribute composed by Terry Riley himself, featuring two distinct pieces: the three-part "Requiem for Adam," performed by the renowned Kronos Quartet, and "The Philosopher's Hand." The album spans a duration of 47 minutes, blending genres such as minimalism, avant-garde, experimental, drone, and ambient music.

Recorded at the prestigious Skywalker Sound in Nicasio, California, between August 14-17, 2000, the album showcases Riley's mastery in creating intricate and hauntingly beautiful compositions. The "Requiem for Adam" is divided into three parts: "Ascending the Heaven Ladder," "Cortejo Funebre en el Monte Diablo," and the titular "Requiem for Adam." Each part offers a unique exploration of sound and emotion, highlighting the collaborative brilliance of Terry Riley and the Kronos Quartet.

The album comes with an English-only booklet, providing additional context and insights into the music. Whether you're a longtime fan of Terry Riley or a newcomer to his work, "Requiem for Adam" offers a profound and immersive listening experience that showcases the depth and innovation of Riley's compositional style.

Terry Riley, born in 1935, is a pioneering American composer renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the minimalist music genre. His innovative approach, blending influences from jazz and Indian classical music, has left an indelible mark on experimental, rock, and electronic music. Riley's most celebrated works, the 1964 composition "In C" and the 1969 album "A Rainbow in Curved Air," are seminal pieces that have defined minimalism and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Throughout his career, Riley has collaborated with diverse artists, including the Kronos Quartet and Pandit Pran Nath, and his explorations into just intonation and improvisation have expanded the boundaries of contemporary music. From his early experiments with La Monte Young and Fluxus to his ongoing collaborations, Terry Riley's music offers a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to explore the depths of musical repetition and innovation.