SCO 25/26: Gnarly Buttons

Once a self-identifying minimalist, radical American composer John Adams quickly jumped from cool, hypnotic pulsations to red-hot emotion and vast cinematic soundscapes in his colourful, witty music. Experience that thrilling journey in three iconic pieces by this pioneering musician. 

Minimalist classic 'Shaker Loops' is a rippling soundscape of quivering energy – sometimes frenetic, sometimes meditative, but never less than mesmerisingly beautiful. 

Mooing cows and ancient US hymns are among the inspirations behind Adams’s zany clarinet concerto 'Gnarly Buttons' – played by charismatic SCO Principal Clarinet Maximiliano Martín – which blends humour and heart in music that spans jazz, pop, folk and the surging repetitions of minimalism. 'Fearful Symmetries' is one of Adams’ boldest and brightest pieces, a high-energy workout of driving rhythms and larger-than-life orchestral sound. 

Artists

Andrew Manze conductor 
Maximiliano Martín clarinet 

Programme

ADAMS Shaker Loops   
ADAMS Gnarly Buttons    
ADAMS Fearful Symmetries 

Presented by The Scottish Chamber Orchestra