John Adams: Music from "Nixon In China"

Sanford Sylvan (Performer), John [Composer] Adams (Composer), Edo de Waart (Conductor), Louise Schulman (Conductor), Michael Steinberg (Conductor), Peter Sellars (Conductor), Orchestra of St. Luke's (Orchestra), Carolann Page (Performer), James Maddalena (Performer), John Duykers (Performer), Mari Opatz (Performer), Marion Dry (Performer), Stephanie Friedman (Performer), Thomas Hampson (Performer), Trudy Ellen Craney (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Sanford Sylvan, Carolann Page, James Maddalena, John Duykers, Mari Opatz, et al.
• Orchestra: Orchestra of St. Luke's
• Conductor: Edo de Waart, Louise Schulman, Michael Steinberg, Peter Sellars
• Composer: John [Composer] Adams
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005IZ9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,948 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: Beginning

2. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky

3. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: The People are the Heroes Now

4. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: Landing of the Spirit of '76

5. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: Your Flight was Smooth, I Hope?

6. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene I: News has a Kind of Mystery

7. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene 3 (Excerpt): Ladies and Gentlemen, Com

8. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene 3 (Excerpt): Mr. Premier, Distinguishe

9. Nixon in China, opera: Act I, Scene 3 (Excerpt): Cheers

10. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 1 (Excerpt): This Is Porphetic!

11. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 1 (Excerpt): At Last the Weather's Wa

12. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 2 (Excerpt): Beginning

13. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 2 (Excerpt): Oh What a Day I Thought

14. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 2 (Excerpt): Whip Her To Death

15. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 2 (Excerpt): Tropical Storm

16. Nixon in China, opera: Act II, Scene 2 (Excerpt): I Am the Wife of Mao Tse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressions of Nixon in China, June 22, 2000

By 

Paul Gilliver - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Adams: Music from "Nixon In China" (Audio CD)

I am moved to comment on the highlights album of John Adams's Nixon in China after seeing the English National Opera production in London last Wednesday 14 June. The music is compelling, exciting and appealing to an audience much wider than usual for opera. I bought the album at the opera shop next to the Coliseum. James Maddelena created the part of Nixon (and appeared in the London production). The recording is thirteen years old and wears its years well. All performances are superb. The Orchestra of St Luke's, less well known in the UK, perhaps, is a revelation. The recording reaches the highest standard. I encourage listeners to get a hold of this album. It is a great introduction to the music of John Adams, for me the most exciting modern composer since Benjamin Britten.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent opportunity to hear a beautiful work, January 25, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Adams: Music from "Nixon In China" (Audio CD)

I actually don't have the highlight C.D. but I own the opera that all the excerpts are from. The ones they chose represent some of the best parts of this simultaneously humorous and profound work. While clearly belonging to the Minimalist camp, this opera makes its debt subtle. Those used to the ostinato patterns of Glass won't find that same regularity here. The patterns, clearly minimalist in conception, change frequently so that every few seconds meters change, harmonies are altered and parts are added or diminished. It also doesn't possess the spiritual or "new-ageyness" that marks other minimalist efforts. This opera is firmly rooted in a more practical dramatic ethos. The libretto is by the far the best in some time. Alice Goodman's writing is able to be humorous, coarse, profound, flippant and descriptive throughout providing an equal balance throughout.

The "News" aria sung by Nixon upon his arrival to Peking shows both the accessibility of the music and its unmistakeable originality. The word "News" sung repeatedly gives both a comic touch to the proceedings while effectively hightening the sense of Nixon's wonderment at this moment.

The most profound section of this work is also included in the excerpts, "Ladies and Gentlemen" Chou en Lai's speech to open the proceedings. Sanford Sylvan sings the words beautifully and allows all the play of the text to resound with the listener. Adams' music is unfailing in its ability to characterize the emotional implications of the words cluminating in the final statement of "From vision to inheritence" that is breathtaking.

Please email me if you have any questions regarding this wonderful work.

Thanks.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this cd!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Adams: Music from "Nixon In China" (Audio CD)

I picked this up on the recommendation of an opera-freak friend. I listen to it all the time, and every one I've lent it to has also loved it. John Adams' music doesn't feel minimalist to me, although I recognize the heritage. It is such a powerful opera...heroic, grand, and sometimes even funny. But I honestly get goosebumps (and even teary-eyed) almost every time I hear it. I have decided that if I ever hear of this opera being performed anywhere in the world I'll have to go. I hope it's in this country...