RCO: John Adams conducts John Adams

Synopsis

European premiere of his new “dramatic symphony for violin and orchestra”, Scheherazade.2, with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Leila Josefowicz as soloist. Composer–conductor John Adams is known the world over as a pioneering composer of operas based on current and recent historical events. Adams has distilled a turbulent symphony from his opera Doctor Atomic, in which Robert Oppenheimer, the ‘father of the atomic bomb’, filled with excitement and doubt, anticipates the very first atomic bomb test in 1945. He also draws inspiration from current events in his instrumental works, as in his new violin concerto Scheherazade.2, written for Leila Josefowicz. Moved by TV footage of oppressed and abused women, Adams juxtaposes the masculine power of the orchestra with a strong woman, an empowered Scheherazade: ‘This one hits back!’ Tromba Lontana is a short, gentle fanfare marking the 150th anniversary of the declaration of independence with which Texas seceded from Mexico in 1836.

Additional Info

• No: A865500260000
• Composer: John Adams
• Conductor: John Adams
• Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Artists: Leila Josefowicz
• Production year: 2015
• Run time: 01:30:00
• Producers: RCO and UNITEL CLASSICA
• Format: HDTV 16:9