The first recording of John Adams’ 2017 opera, Girls of the Golden West, is his eighth music theater work to be released by Nonesuch. It tells the story of the California Gold Rush not through familiar time-worn myth, but in the words and deeds of real people. Longtime Adams collaborator Peter Sellars drew from original sources from the era—letters, journals, newspaper articles, and familiar song lyrics—to create the libretto. The composer leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in this recording made in Disney Hall, with the Los Angeles Master Chorale led by Grant Gershon and a cast featuring Davóne Tines, Julia Bullock, Paul Appleby, Hye Jung Lee, Elliot Madore, Daniela Mack, and Ryan McKinny.

The forty-disc John Adams Collected Works, a box set featuring recordings spanning more than four decades of the composer’s career with the label, is out now on Nonesuch Records.The release includes two extensive booklets containing new essays and notes by Timo Andres (which you can read here), Nico Muhly (read here), Jake Wilder-Smith (read here), Julia Bullock (read here), and Robert Hurwitz (read here). Unboxing video by Robert Edridge-Waks. Music: Nixon in China, Act I, Scene 1: Landing of the Sprit of '76.

Composer John Adams discusses his 2014 dramatic symphony for violin and orchestra, Scheherazade.2.

Composer John Adams discusses his 2009 piece for orchestra, City Noir.

Comopser John Adams discusses his 1995 pieces for violin and orchestra, Road Movies.

Composer John Adams discusses his 1998 pieces for two pianos, Hallelujah Junction.

Composer John Adams discusses his 1995 piece for orchestra, Lollapalooza.

Composer John Adams discusses his 1992 Chamber Symphony.

Composer John Adams discusses his 1988 piece for baritone and chamber orchestra, The Wound-Dresser, featuring text by Walt Whitman.

Composer John Adams discusses his 1986 fanfare for orchestra, Short Ride in a Fast Machine.