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{{Short description|Composition by John Adams}}
'''''Lollapalooza''''' is a short piece composed by American [[minimalism|minimalist]] composer [[John Coolidge Adams|John Adams]] in 1995. The piece is based on the rhythm of the word 'Lollapalooza'. It was composed as a fortieth birthday present to the famous conductor, [[Simon Rattle]], with whom Adams has worked in the past.
'''''Lollapalooza''''' is a short piece composed by American [[Minimal music|minimalist]] composer [[John Adams (composer)|John Adams]] in 1995. The piece is based on the rhythm of the word 'Lollapalooza'. It was composed as a fortieth birthday present to the British conductor [[Simon Rattle]], with whom Adams has worked in the past.


First performed November 10, 1995 by City of Birmingham Symphony conducted by Simon Rattle.
It was first performed November 10, 1995 by the [[City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra]], with Rattle conducting.


== John Adams on Lollapalooza ==
== John Adams on ''Lollapalooza'' ==
{{cquote|Lollapalooza was written as a fortieth birthday present for Simon Rattle who has been a friend and collaborator for many years. The term "lollapalooza" has an uncertain etymology, and just that vagueness may account for its popularity as an archetypical American word. It suggests something large, outlandish, oversized, not unduly refined. H.L. Mencken suggests it may have originally meant a knockout punch in a boxing match. I was attracted to it because of its internal rhythm: da-da-da-DAAH-da. Hence, in my piece, the word is spelled out in the trombones and tubas, C-C-C-E{{music|b}}-C (emphasis on the E{{music|b}}) as a kind of idée fixe. The "lollapalooza" motive is only one of a profusion of other motives, all appearing and evolving in a repetitive chain of events that moves this dancing behemoth along until it ends in a final shout by the horns and trombones and a terminal thwack on timpani and bass drum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adams, John: Lollapalooza (1995) 6'|url=http://www.boosey.com/cr/music/John-Adams-Lollapalooza/289}}</ref>}}

Lollapalooza was written as a fortieth birthday present for Simon Rattle who has been a friend and collaborator for many years. The term "lollapalooza" has an uncertain etymology, and just that vagueness may account for its popularity as an archetypical American word. It suggests something large, outlandish, oversized, not unduly refined. H.L. Mencken suggests it may have originally meant a knockout punch in a boxing match. I was attracted to it because of its internal rhythm: da-da-da-DAAH-da. Hence, in my piece, the word is spelled out in the trombones and tubas, C-C-C-Eb-C (emphasis on the Eb) as a kind of ideé fixe. The "lollapalooza" motive is only one of a profusion of other motives, all appearing and evolving in a repetitive chain of events that moves this dancing behemoth along until it ends in a final shout by the horns and trombones and a terminal thwack on timpani and bass drum.


== Recordings ==
== Recordings ==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2016}}
* New World Symphony, [[Michael Tilson Thomas]], cond., BMG/RCA 68798
* [[Hallé Orchestra]], [[Kent Nagano]], cond., Nonesuch Records 79607-2


== Orchestration <ref>{{cite web|title=Earbox - Lollapalooza, for Orchestra|date=23 September 1995 |url=https://www.earbox.com/lollapalooza/}}</ref> ==
New World Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, cond.,
Piccolo, 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo) 2 oboes, English horn, E-flat clarinet, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, piano, strings. The percussion is divided among four players:
BMG/RCA 68798


*Player 1: xylophone, 3 large roto-toms, suspended cymbal, small tam-tam
Hallé Orchestra, Kent Nagano, cond.
*Player 2: snare drum (for rim shot only), pedal bass drum, maracas, tambourine, claves
Nonesuch Records 79607-2
*Player 3: claves, woodblock, bongo, snare drum, low floor tom
*Player 4: vibraphone, large bass drum


== Orchestration ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}


==See also==
piccolo, 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo) 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (4 players)*, piano, strings
*[[Garryowen (air)|"Garryowen" (air)]]
*Percussion 1: xylophone, 3 large roto-toms, suspended cymbal, small tam-tam;
Percussion 2: snare drum (for rim shot only), pedal bass drum, maracas, tambourine, claves
Percussion 3: claves, woodblock, bongo, snare drum, low floor tom
Percussion 4: vibraphone, large bass drum


{{John Adams (composer)}}
[[Category:Compositions by John Coolidge Adams]]

[[Category:Minimalistic compositions]]
{{Italic title}}
[[Category:Compositions by John Adams (composer)]]
[[Category:1995 compositions]]
[[Category:1995 compositions]]
[[Category:Compositions for symphony orchestra]]



{{Classical-composition-stub}}
{{Classical-composition-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:36, 19 June 2023

Lollapalooza is a short piece composed by American minimalist composer John Adams in 1995. The piece is based on the rhythm of the word 'Lollapalooza'. It was composed as a fortieth birthday present to the British conductor Simon Rattle, with whom Adams has worked in the past.

It was first performed November 10, 1995 by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, with Rattle conducting.

John Adams on Lollapalooza

[edit]

Lollapalooza was written as a fortieth birthday present for Simon Rattle who has been a friend and collaborator for many years. The term "lollapalooza" has an uncertain etymology, and just that vagueness may account for its popularity as an archetypical American word. It suggests something large, outlandish, oversized, not unduly refined. H.L. Mencken suggests it may have originally meant a knockout punch in a boxing match. I was attracted to it because of its internal rhythm: da-da-da-DAAH-da. Hence, in my piece, the word is spelled out in the trombones and tubas, C-C-C-E-C (emphasis on the E) as a kind of idée fixe. The "lollapalooza" motive is only one of a profusion of other motives, all appearing and evolving in a repetitive chain of events that moves this dancing behemoth along until it ends in a final shout by the horns and trombones and a terminal thwack on timpani and bass drum.[1]

Recordings

[edit]

Orchestration [2]

[edit]

Piccolo, 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo) 2 oboes, English horn, E-flat clarinet, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, piano, strings. The percussion is divided among four players:

  • Player 1: xylophone, 3 large roto-toms, suspended cymbal, small tam-tam
  • Player 2: snare drum (for rim shot only), pedal bass drum, maracas, tambourine, claves
  • Player 3: claves, woodblock, bongo, snare drum, low floor tom
  • Player 4: vibraphone, large bass drum

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Adams, John: Lollapalooza (1995) 6'".
  2. ^ "Earbox - Lollapalooza, for Orchestra". 23 September 1995.

See also

[edit]