John Adams at 80

We begin with the energetic, driving textures of Frenzy, a short symphony that showcases the composer’s ability to weave complex rhythmic patterns into a single, cohesive momentum. You will then hear the Feast of the Passover, an intense choral extract taken from The Gospel According to the Other Mary, which offers a more narrative and vocal dimension to the evening. The performance concludes with the expansive Harmonielehre. This three-movement work is a pillar of the modern repertoire, merging the repetitive cycles of minimalism with the lush, late-Romantic orchestration of the early twentieth century. Listen for the famous opening chords that hammer through the silence, and the shifting, iridescent layers of sound that develop as the work progresses. The evening is shaped to show the evolution of a singular musical voice, moving from concentrated bursts of activity to broad, symphonic landscapes that fill the hall with shimmering percussion and brass.

Sir Simon Rattle leads the London Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble rooted at the Barbican and renowned for its technical precision and adventurous spirit. As a long-standing champion of contemporary scores, Rattle brings a clear-eyed perspective to this rhythmically demanding music. The orchestra is particularly known for its powerful brass section and its ability to navigate the intricate, interlocking parts required by this composer. You will hear an ensemble that excels in clarity and scale, performing music by a figure with whom they have built a significant and enduring recording and performance history.

This performance takes place at the Barbican in London and lasts approximately 105 minutes. Given the duration and the variety of the works, it provides a substantial introduction to modern orchestral writing for those who are new to the genre. There are no specific dress codes for this venue, so you may wear what makes you comfortable. Tickets start at eighteen pounds. As the programme is purely orchestral and choral, there are no surtitles to follow, though the texts for the vocal section will be relevant to the narrative flow of the second work.