Gnarly Buttons
Gnarly Buttons is a composition for solo
Proms performance on 23 July 1998, conducted by Markus Stenz.[1] The New York City premiere was in October 1997, with David Shifrin as the clarinet soloist and Ransom Wilson conducting musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.[2]
Gnarly Buttons is composed of three movements, with the following titles:
- I. The Perilous Shore
- II. Hoedown (Mad Cow)
- III. Put Your Loving Arms Around Me
In addition to the solo clarinet, the work is scored for thirteen musicians, including a
cow), and strings. Adams has said that “The three movements are each based on a 'forgery' or imagined musical model.” He has also stated that Gnarly Buttons was influenced in part by his father's passing due to Alzheimer's disease.[3]
Adams has provided a short explanation for the title, claiming that it was a reference to the "gnarly buttons" on many trees, as well as the keys on a clarinet.[4]
References
- JSTOR 944682.
- ^ Allan Kozinn (11 August 1998). "Surprise, an Adventurous Counterpoint". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "John Adams - Gnarly Buttons". www.boosey.com. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ "John Adams: 'Grand' And 'Gnarly' In Concert". npr.org. National Public Radio. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
Sources
- May, Thomas. The John Adams Reader (ISBN 1-57467-132-4)
- Taylor, Anthony G. "John Adams's 'Gnarly Buttons': Issues of History, Performance and Style." Doctoral document, University of Cincinnati, 2007. Electronic library access at: http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ucin1185548983
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