John Adams’s role in the course of his residency with the Philharmoniker was not only as a composer, but also as a conductor. For his debut at the helm of the orchestra, the programme included the Adams classic Harmonielehre, followed by his new “dramatic symphony” Scheherazade.2: a sumptuous balancing act
between Romanticism and Modernism, performed here with violinist Leila Josefowicz as the soloist.
Simon Rattle, a friend and associate of John Adams of many years, is naturally included in the edition. He conducts the Passion oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary which, with multi-faceted, pulsating music, is devoted to the fascinating biblical figure of Mary Magdalene.
Other conductors also appear in this edition: Gustavo Dudamel with the atmospheric nocturnal scene City Noir, Alan Gilbert with the exhilarating miniatures Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Lollapalooza, and Kirill Petrenko who performs the poignant lament The Wound-Dresser with baritone Georg Nigl.
Another highlight is the artwork of the edition, created by the internationally renowned artist Wolfgang Tillmans.
Berliner Philharmoniker
The John Adams Edition
Works by John Adams, Composer in Residence
with the Berliner Philharmoniker in the 2016 / 2017 season
Harmonielehre
John Adams conductor
Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Alan Gilbert conductor
John Adams conductor
Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Alan Gilbert conductor
City Noir
Gustavo Dudamel conductor
Lollapalooza
Alan Gilbert conductor
Scheherazade.2
John Adams conductor
Leila Josefowicz violin
The Wound-Dresser
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Georg Nigl baritone
The Gospel According to the Other Mary
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Kelley O'Connor Mary Magdalene mezzo-soprano
Tamara Mumford Martha, her sister contralto
Peter Hoare Lazarus, their brother tenor
Daniel Bubeck countertenor
Brian Cummings countertenor
Nathan Medley countertenor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Daniel Reuss chorus Master
Recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie in 2016 and 2017
Lollapalooza
Alan Gilbert conductor
Scheherazade.2
John Adams conductor
Leila Josefowicz violin
The Wound-Dresser
Kirill Petrenko conductor
Georg Nigl baritone
The Gospel According to the Other Mary
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Kelley O'Connor Mary Magdalene mezzo-soprano
Tamara Mumford Martha, her sister contralto
Peter Hoare Lazarus, their brother tenor
Daniel Bubeck countertenor
Brian Cummings countertenor
Nathan Medley countertenor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Daniel Reuss chorus Master
Recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie in 2016 and 2017
Digital download, 24/192 flacs and booklet