John Adams's "Scheherazade.2" Due September 30 with Violinist Leila Josefowicz, St. Louis Symphony, Music Director David Robertson

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Nonesuch releases John Adams's Scheherazade.2 on September 30, 2016. The 50-minute "dramatic symphony" was written for the violinist Leila Josefowicz, who performs it here with the St. Louis Symphony led by Music Director David Robertson; Chester Englander is the cimbalom soloist. In the piece, Adams imagines a modern day Scheherazade, an "empowered, liberated spirit embodied in the multifaceted solo violin role," he says. "Scheherazade.2 is also a virtuoso romantic symphony-concerto on the grand scale which acknowledges its predecessors in works by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Berg." He and Josefowicz will perform Scheherazade.2 with orchestras in Europe this fall.

Copy

Nonesuch Records releases John Adams's Scheherazade.2 on September 30, 2016. The 50-minute work, which the composer, borrowing a term from Berlioz, calls a "dramatic symphony," was written for the violinist Leila Josefowicz, who has played it with leading orchestras around the world since its 2015 premiere by the New York Philharmonic. The Nonesuch recording was made during February 2016 performances by the St. Louis Symphony led by Music Director David Robertson; Chester Englander is the cimbalom soloist. It is available to pre-order now on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include a download of the complete album available starting on release day. Adams and Josefowicz will perform Scheherazade.2 in Europe with the London Symphony, the Suisse Romande Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic this fall. You can watch the composer discuss the piece in a video below.

The composer was inspired by an exhibition at Paris's Institute du Monde Arabe that included the history and evolution of the "Arabian Nights" folk tales and was particularly struck by the story of Scheherazade. This led him to imagine a modern day Scheherazade, an "empowered, liberated spirit embodied in the multifaceted solo violin role." As he says in his liner note, "The casual brutality toward women that lies at the base of many of these tales prodded me to think about the many images of women oppressed or abused or violated that we see today in the news on a daily basis.

"Thinking about what a Scheherazade in our own time might be brought to mind some famous examples of women under threat for their lives, or women routinely attacked and even executed by religious fanatics in any number of countries," he continues. "The modern images that come to mind certainly aren't exclusive to the Middle East—we see examples, if not quite so graphic nonetheless profoundly disturbing, from everywhere in the world, including in our own country."

With this in mind, Adams created this dramatic symphony, with the solo violin portraying Scheherazade. "While not having an actual story line or plot, the symphony follows a set of provocative images: a beautiful young woman with grit and personal power; a pursuit by 'true believers;' a love scene that is both violent and tender; a scene in which she is tried by a court of religious zealots; and a final 'escape, flight, and sanctuary,'" he says. At the same time, notes the composer, "Scheherazade.2 is also a virtuoso romantic symphony-concerto on the grand scale which acknowledges its predecessors in works by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Berg.

The piece was composed specifically for Josefowicz, with whom Adams collaborated closely during its composition. The violinist, who is a passionate advocate of new music, has given numerous performances of Adams's works—notably his Violin Concerto; his electric violin concerto, The Dharma at Big Sur; and Road Movies, which she recorded for Nonesuch. "I find Leila a perfect embodiment of that kind of empowered strength and energy that a modern Scheherazade would possess," he says of his friend and colleague.

Josefowicz, a 2008 MacArthur fellow, frequently works with leading international composers, orchestras, and conductors. Violin concertos have been written especially for her by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Colin Matthews, and Steven Mackey. Recent highlights from Josefowicz's calendar include performances with the Chicago, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Melbourne symphonies; Ottawa's National Arts Centre Orchestra; the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France; Gürzenich-Orchester Köln; Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich; Filarmonica della Scala, and the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester.

California–born David Robertson celebrates his 12th season as Music Director of the St. Louis (STL) Symphony, which was founded in 1880 and is the second-oldest orchestra in the U.S. During his tenure, Robertson has solidified the STL Symphony's standing as one of the nation's most vital and innovative ensembles. He is known as a champion of contemporary composers, as evidenced by the STL Symphony's strong association with John Adams. Robertson and the STL Symphony's last Nonesuch recording, of Adams's City Noir and Saxophone Concerto, won a 2014 Grammy Award. The label previously released their recording of his Doctor Atomic Symphony and Guide to Strange Places in 2009.

featuredimage
John Adams: Scheherazade.2 [cover]
  • Wednesday, August 17, 2016
    John Adams's "Scheherazade.2" Due September 30 with Violinist Leila Josefowicz, St. Louis Symphony, Music Director David Robertson

    Nonesuch Records releases John Adams's Scheherazade.2 on September 30, 2016. The 50-minute work, which the composer, borrowing a term from Berlioz, calls a "dramatic symphony," was written for the violinist Leila Josefowicz, who has played it with leading orchestras around the world since its 2015 premiere by the New York Philharmonic. The Nonesuch recording was made during February 2016 performances by the St. Louis Symphony led by Music Director David Robertson; Chester Englander is the cimbalom soloist. It is available to pre-order now on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include a download of the complete album available starting on release day. Adams and Josefowicz will perform Scheherazade.2 in Europe with the London Symphony, the Suisse Romande Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic this fall. You can watch the composer discuss the piece in a video below.

    The composer was inspired by an exhibition at Paris's Institute du Monde Arabe that included the history and evolution of the "Arabian Nights" folk tales and was particularly struck by the story of Scheherazade. This led him to imagine a modern day Scheherazade, an "empowered, liberated spirit embodied in the multifaceted solo violin role." As he says in his liner note, "The casual brutality toward women that lies at the base of many of these tales prodded me to think about the many images of women oppressed or abused or violated that we see today in the news on a daily basis.

    "Thinking about what a Scheherazade in our own time might be brought to mind some famous examples of women under threat for their lives, or women routinely attacked and even executed by religious fanatics in any number of countries," he continues. "The modern images that come to mind certainly aren't exclusive to the Middle East—we see examples, if not quite so graphic nonetheless profoundly disturbing, from everywhere in the world, including in our own country."

    With this in mind, Adams created this dramatic symphony, with the solo violin portraying Scheherazade. "While not having an actual story line or plot, the symphony follows a set of provocative images: a beautiful young woman with grit and personal power; a pursuit by 'true believers;' a love scene that is both violent and tender; a scene in which she is tried by a court of religious zealots; and a final 'escape, flight, and sanctuary,'" he says. At the same time, notes the composer, "Scheherazade.2 is also a virtuoso romantic symphony-concerto on the grand scale which acknowledges its predecessors in works by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Berg.

    The piece was composed specifically for Josefowicz, with whom Adams collaborated closely during its composition. The violinist, who is a passionate advocate of new music, has given numerous performances of Adams's works—notably his Violin Concerto; his electric violin concerto, The Dharma at Big Sur; and Road Movies, which she recorded for Nonesuch. "I find Leila a perfect embodiment of that kind of empowered strength and energy that a modern Scheherazade would possess," he says of his friend and colleague.

    Josefowicz, a 2008 MacArthur fellow, frequently works with leading international composers, orchestras, and conductors. Violin concertos have been written especially for her by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Colin Matthews, and Steven Mackey. Recent highlights from Josefowicz's calendar include performances with the Chicago, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Melbourne symphonies; Ottawa's National Arts Centre Orchestra; the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France; Gürzenich-Orchester Köln; Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich; Filarmonica della Scala, and the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester.

    California–born David Robertson celebrates his 12th season as Music Director of the St. Louis (STL) Symphony, which was founded in 1880 and is the second-oldest orchestra in the U.S. During his tenure, Robertson has solidified the STL Symphony's standing as one of the nation's most vital and innovative ensembles. He is known as a champion of contemporary composers, as evidenced by the STL Symphony's strong association with John Adams. Robertson and the STL Symphony's last Nonesuch recording, of Adams's City Noir and Saxophone Concerto, won a 2014 Grammy Award. The label previously released their recording of his Doctor Atomic Symphony and Guide to Strange Places in 2009.

    Journal Articles:Album ReleaseArtist News

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Thursday, November 21, 2024
    Thursday, November 21, 2024

    Composer and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire’s honey from a winter stone is out January 17, 2025, on Nonesuch Records. The album, which Ambrose calls a “self-portrait,” features improvisational vocalist Kokayi, pianist Sam Harris, Chiquitamagic on synthesizer, drummer Justin Brown, and the Mivos Quartet. Akinmusire says, “In many respects this entire work is inspired by and is an homage to the work of the composer Julius Eastman and his organic music concept." The opening track, “muffled screams,” is out now.

     

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News
  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024
    Wednesday, November 20, 2024

    Nonesuch releases a deluxe edition of Wilco’s 2004 Grammy Award–winning album A Ghost Is Born on February 7, 2025. The box set comprises either nine vinyl LPs and four CDs or nine CDs—including the original album, alternates, outtakes, and demos, charting the making of A Ghost Is Born—plus the complete 2004 concert recording from Boston’s Wang Center and the band’s “fundamentals” workshop sessions. It includes sixty-five previously unreleased music tracks as well as a forty-eight-page hardcover book with previously unpublished photos and a new liner note by Grammy-winning writer Bob Mehr. An alternate version of “Handshake Drugs,” recorded during the studio sessions at New York’s Sear Sound, twenty-one years ago this month, is out now. There will also be a new vinyl pressing of the original album in a two-disc package, and a two-CD expanded version of the original album with bonus track highlights from the full deluxe edition repertoire. The two-CD version will also be available on streaming services worldwide.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News