John Adams at 80

The evening

Experience the breadth of composer John Adams’ art in this concert celebrating his 80th birthday – from relentless, pulsating minimalism to a powerful exploration of faith and social justice.

One of a handful of true American greats, John Adams has enjoyed a long history with the LSO. This concert is one instalment of a journey into Adams’ unique world, beginning with his ‘symphony in one movement’ Frenzy. As the name might suggest, it’s an urgent, driving piece, built on the back of a single melodic fragment that the composer distorts and transforms throughout.

We’ll also hear an extract from the end of Act 1 of Adams’ powerful 2012 operatic oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary, focusing on Mary of Bethany’s account Christ’s final few weeks. To finish, the exhilarating three-movement Harmonielehre blends minimalist drama with neo-Romantic expression.

LSO Conductor Emeritus Sir Simon Rattle, one of John Adams’ greatest musical collaborators, is the perfect conductor to breathe life into these spectacular works.

Harmonielehre is the equivalent to John as the Firebird is to Stravinsky. Sir Simon Rattle