John Adams: Guide to Strange Places (2001), conducted by Adams himself

Live recording of the world premiere performance of John Adams' marvellous orchestral piece 'Guide to Strange Places', which took place in Amsterdam in 2001 with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer himself. It's a wonderfully energetic, colorful and vibrant piece that shows Adams at his orchestral best.
Adams said about this piece: ”On a certain level, Guide reminds me a bit of Fearful Symmetries, in that it’s strongly governed by a pulse, and is largely energetic; the colors are somewhat garish…you might even say “Fauvist”. I had in mind certain composers like Berlioz, Mussorgsky, or even a piece like The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - pieces that are very colorful and somewhat fantastique…. Among my own family of pieces, Guide to Strange Places belongs in the class with Fearful Symmetries, Slonimsky’s Earbox, or maybe Lollapalooza.”

[@kidmarine7329]

Wow. This is amazing.

[@garyhickman6897]

I was fortunate enough to have been in the audience (behind the orchestra) for this performance.....fantastic experience !

[@charlescoleman5509]

The recording sounds too slow. The notes sound a half step lower than the original key.

[@ondrejsedo8659]

The second half sounds inspired by Turangalila symphony.

[@roni1934]

Beautiful composition and respect all succes on the future Invite you to my channel cover

[@rogermaes6001]

Exceptional composer, surely a genius, true to himself without ever being locked into a system, he seems inexhaustibly inventive. I take the risk of being unfair to many musicians, but I place him, along with Leonard Bernstein, Steve Reich, Roy Harris and William Schuman, as one of the greatest American symphonists of the second half of the 20th century.

[@Twentythousandlps]

Neither Reich nor Adams has ever written a symphony.

[@fansofst.maximustheconfess8226]

@@Twentythousandlps Not entirely true. HARMONIELEHRE is kind of a symphony. Also take NAIVE AND SENTIMENTAL MUSIC, a symphony in but the name...

[@thehonkytonkduck2270]

@@Twentythousandlps I'd check out the Doctor Atomic symphony of John Adams

[@robotypist]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!! SO GLAD I FOUND THIS!!!

[@joelster7455]

Awesome piece. I love the snarly section with all the doors closing, from 13:30, and the rampage coming up to the 20 minute mark.

[@lccus]

Sounds like the harrowing of hell, lmao

[@edithdzieduszycka5918]

Ansimante e trascinante.. affascinante

[@Belfreyite]

20.00 here, compare 36.00, Stravinsky Rite of Spring?

[@-fb-8757]

Great Adams.

[@johnhysong3275]

john totally kicks ass!!!!!!we do this at work ....what a pleasure to play his music!!!!

[@ancientmusic123]

Great piece! Yes, the piece reveals its secrets if you keep that basic pulse in mind all the way through. I really like his Shaker Loops too.

[@zaidibaraka7561]

I hear the Stravinsky influence, by way of Copland!!!

[@jslasher1]

You've got it, mate.

[@alexanderdom8297]

Дрянь

[@Belfreyite]

Listening to John Adams makes me wonder, did he ever have that Orgasm?

[@jslasher1]

Doubt it. He's hardly a spunk.

[@rogermaes6001]

@@jslasher1 Poor little thing !

[@rogermaes6001]

@@Archangina How much I pity you !