Adams, John: Lollapalooza (1995) 6'
for orchestra
Scoring
picc.2(III=picc).2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.3.dbn-4.3.2.btrbn.1-timp.perc(4):I=xyl/3lg roto-toms/susp.cym/sm tam-t;II=SD/pedal BD/maracas/tamb/claves;III=claves/wdbl/bongo/SD/low floor tom-t;IV=vibes, lg BD-pft-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
11/10/1995
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Simon Rattle
Composer's Notes
Lollapalooza was written as a fortieth birthday present for Simon Rattle who was 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.
Recommended Recording
The Hallé Orchestra / Kent Nagano
Nonesuch 7559-79607-2
for orchestra
Scoring
picc.2(III=picc).2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.3.dbn-4.3.2.btrbn.1-timp.perc(4):I=xyl/3lg roto-toms/susp.cym/sm tam-t;II=SD/pedal BD/maracas/tamb/claves;III=claves/wdbl/bongo/SD/low floor tom-t;IV=vibes, lg BD-pft-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
11/10/1995
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Simon Rattle
Composer's Notes
Lollapalooza was written as a fortieth birthday present for Simon Rattle who was 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.
Recommended Recording
The Hallé Orchestra / Kent Nagano
Nonesuch 7559-79607-2
Click here to purchase this CD from Amazon
Mailing List
Sign up for news updates and offers via email
SIGN UP
Featured Publication
Britten: War Requiem
Britten's pacifist masterwork, combining war poetry by Wilfred Owen with the Latin Requiem Mass, is included in the Masterworks Library of full scores, ideal for conductors, students and music lovers.
READ MORE