(no subject)

[av8rmike]

I've hardly updated at all in the last few weeks. Rest assured, I am still alive, in case anyone was concerned.

I got some of that Stephen Colbert ice cream, but I actually wasn't all that impressed.

I've been trying to get into the music of John Adams, but some of it is less approachable than others. I really should start practicing again.

Comments

[brianjedi.livejournal.com]

John Adams is better than Bryan Adams, I suppose.

[av8rmike.livejournal.com]

He's not Canadian, for one.

[violaman.livejournal.com]

Let's try this again, non-anonymously:

I have half a pint of Americone Dream in my freezer right now. I like it. It's no Mint Chocolate Cookie, but it's a solid ice cream performer in its own right.

The only piece by John Adams that I know is "The Chairman Dances" from Nixon in China. I couldn't tell you anything else he's composed.

[av8rmike.livejournal.com]

Finally found a store that carries it?

"Chairman Dances" is pretty neat little piece. "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" is his other well-known small piece and Death of Klinghoffer is the other famous opera. Fearful Symmetries could be cool, but has these weird saxophone and synthesizer bits that make it sound like cheesy 80s pop, which may actually be the intent. "The Wound-Dresser" is on the same CD, and while it was described to me as "beautiful", I only find it horribly depressing. We played Harmonielehre last December, which was fantastically difficult but is really cool when it all comes together.

The ones I want to hear more of are "Shaker Loops", My Father Knew Charles Ives, and The Dharma at Big Sur. I missed the last one when the BSO performed it, but I forget what conflicted.

[sperfur.livejournal.com]

I haven't been able to find Americone Dream anywhere yet. Bummer.