Adams, J: John's Book of Alleged Dances, etc.

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John's Book of Alleged Dances (the equivocation in the title refers to dance steps that have yet to be invented) is prime-cut Adams – fidgety, tuneful, teeming with invention and all but tactile... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: 7559794652
Label: Nonesuch
Length: 59 minutes

Adams, J: John's Book of Alleged Dances

Work length35:31

$11.00

$14.30

Kronos Quartet (string quartet)

Judah to Ocean

Track length2:30

$1.00

$1.30

Toot Nipple

Track length1:14

$1.00

$1.30

Dogjam

Track length2:31

$1.00

$1.30

Pavane: She's So Fine

Track length6:32

$1.00

$1.30

Rag the Bone

Track length2:59

$1.00

$1.30

Habanera

Track length4:44

$1.00

$1.30

Stubble Crotchet

Track length2:39

$1.00

$1.30

Hammer and Chisel

Track length1:11

$1.00

$1.30

Alligator Escalator

Track length3:49

$1.00

$1.30

Standchen: The Little Serenade

Track length4:51

$1.00

$1.30

Judah to Ocean (reprise)

Track length2:31

$1.00

$1.30

Adams, J: Gnarly Buttons for clarinet & ensemble

Work length24:10

$3.00

$3.90

Michael Collins (clarinet)
London Sinfonietta
John Adams

The Perilous Shore

Track length9:54

$1.00

$1.30

Hoe-down (Mad Cow)

Track length5:44

$1.00

$1.30

Put Your Loving Arms Around Me

Track length8:32

$1.00

$1.30

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

John's Book of Alleged Dances (the equivocation in the title refers to dance steps that have yet to be invented) is prime-cut Adams – fidgety, tuneful, teeming with invention and all but tactile in its aural variety; its use of the prepared piano is fascinating.
We start by following a streetcar from town to coast and back again, then visit 'Toot Nipple' with 'chainsaw triads on the cello'.
There's a raw-edged 'Hoe-Down' for leader David Harrington, a 'Pavane' for cellist Joan Jeanrenaud and a doleful Habanera. 'Hammer & Chisel' are contractor friends who construct to a knotty toccata; a slithery 'Alligator Escalator' employs reptilian harmonics and a chirpy 'Serenade' pays subtle homage to Beethoven and Schubert. These and more are kept on a high flame by the Kronos Quartet, whereas Gnarly Buttons calls on the combined talents of Michael Collins and the London Sinfonietta. A more intense piece by far, its dry but colourful demeanour occasionally recalls Schoenberg's similarly spice-flavoured Serenade. The first movement is based on a Protestant shape-note hymn; the second is a 'Mad-Cow' hoe-down; and the third is a warming song of sure-fire hit potential. Collins does Adams proud, and so does the London Sinfonietta.
The recordings are first-rate.

Adams, J: John's Book of Alleged Dances, etc.

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