Composer John Adams has written a significant amount of work in honor of his friends and colleagues. Tonight we feature his 40th birthday present to conductor Sir Simon Rattle, "Lollapalooza."
Lollapalooza
Adams characterizes the word "Lollapalooza" as an "archetypical" American word which "suggests something large, outlandish, oversized, not unduly refined." The internal rhythm of the word itself makes repeated appearances in the orchestra, until being suddenly cut off in what the composer calls "a terminal thwack on timpani and bass drum."
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.