MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Feb 8, 2006 17:44:40 GMT -8
I've been playing Civilization IV, a game for the PC where you play as a civilization that starts off in 4000BC, and works it's way through time to the era of jets and tanks. One really interesting thing about the game is that it uses actual music from different eras as the soundtrack. During the medieval era you can hear plain chants, Bach during the Renaissance, then Beethoven, and so on to the modern era.
I found the modern era to be my favorite, and this is largely due to the tracks by John Adams. I've heard people talking about how A.I. (a personal favorite) and Matrix were so heavily influenced by him, but I had no idea. Hearing is believing.
So now I need help finding what to get by Adams. The tracks in the game that I love (and believe are by Adams) are the Chairman Dances, Meister Eckhart, Harmonielehre, Tromba Lontana... and actually, all the ones by Adams that are in the game are awesome.
So does anyone have any suggestions of recordings to get? Tromba Lontana is my favorite that I've heard so far, but so far all that I've heard from him is good. I just have no idea what albums I should start with.
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Post by Brendan Anderson on Feb 8, 2006 18:11:20 GMT -8
[url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002RU2/qid=113[9450384/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-7983283-7730235?s=classical&v=glance&n=5174]Harmonielehre[/url]
Definitely check out the album linked above. It includes most all of what you're referencing as well as some other great music. If Chris Tilton is lurking around these messages, perhaps he'll shed some more light on what Adams pieces sound like The Matrix...he did quite a bit of research on it back when he wrote the Don Davis interview for Cinemusic.
My favorite Adams piece is Short Ride in a Fast Machine, but I admittedly haven't heard all that much Adams...
-Brendan
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MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Feb 9, 2006 4:10:02 GMT -8
I was looking at that album. Consider me convinced (and consider me 3 cents from getting free shipping, so I need to find one more thing).
Short Ride in a Fast Machine isn't included in the soundtrack, so I look forward to hearing it.
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sdtom
Conductor
Posts: 1,109
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Post by sdtom on Feb 9, 2006 6:29:25 GMT -8
Mike go ahead and order the Naxos classical release of some of Ifukube's music. The catalog # is 8.557587. Since he just passed this is one that I am going to talk about. Tom ;D
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Post by Chris Tilton on Feb 9, 2006 18:03:11 GMT -8
Brendan has indeed pointed to probably the best John Adams album you can get. Not only does it contain the best recording and performance of "Short Ride In a Fast Machine" and "Harmonielehre," but "Harmonielehre" is, in my opinion, Adams' best work.
"Nixon In China" is another favorite of mine, but you'll have to like opera ('cause it is one). You should also check out his "Violin Concerto" and "Shaker Loops."
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Post by Armin on Feb 10, 2006 0:04:03 GMT -8
Harmonielehre is defnitely the album to start with.
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MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Mar 6, 2006 16:33:59 GMT -8
A quick update. I went ahead and purchased the album Brendan linked above. Thanks Brendan, Chris, and Armin for the suggestion! Short Ride in a Fast Machine is indeed quite insane. It's honestly the best album I've bought in a long, long time. CIV 4 also includes Shaking and Trembling and Loops and Verses. Is this the album to get for "Shaker Loops" and "Violin Concerto", or is there a better one? Violin Concerto/Shaker LoopsAlso, I really like the Grand Pianola tracks included in the game. Any album suggestions for that?
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Post by Jangles on Mar 6, 2006 16:48:42 GMT -8
Instead of John Adams, I will have to reccomend his brother Sam.
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MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Mar 6, 2006 18:45:16 GMT -8
Instead of John Adams, I will have to reccomend his brother Sam. Only in October - Oktoberfest is quite good. Now, back to John Adams...
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Post by Armin on Mar 7, 2006 0:10:30 GMT -8
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Post by Jens Dietrich on Mar 7, 2006 18:09:40 GMT -8
I absolutely agree with Chris about "Nixon in China". It's by far my favorite avant-garde opera, flawless both in composition (utterly brilliant use of minimalist motifs) and characterization.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends" alone is worth the price of the album, IMHO.
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MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Mar 8, 2006 5:11:37 GMT -8
Thanks for the album suggestion Armin. As for "Nixon in China", I didn't realize "The People are the Heroes Now" was part of it - I love that track! It's the only one I've heard, but it's enough to justify getting it. Okay, last time I ask for album recommendation... the only full version of the opera I found on Amazon is this one: Nixon In ChinaIs this the one to get?
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Post by Armin on Mar 8, 2006 11:04:50 GMT -8
This link leads to a highlights album. It is therefore NOT the complete opera. Amazon doesn't sell it.
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MikeP
Orchestrator
Posts: 537
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Post by MikeP on Mar 8, 2006 16:30:23 GMT -8
Damn, I linked to the wrong album. This is the one I meant: Nixon in China (the whole thing)It's the same label, so I'm guessing the highlight album is from the above recording...
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Post by Armin on Mar 8, 2006 19:54:39 GMT -8
Well, I don't know. I don't have this version and I don't know the orchestra. If it's the only available release though it's not like you have a choice.
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