John Adams

Grand Pianola Music

This work 3 Amplified Women's Voices, 2 Pianos, Percussion, Wind and Brass was premiered by the San Fransico Symphony in February 1982. Grand Pianola Music recalls the music of Charles Ives in its creative synthesis of various musical styles. The listener is greeted with a wide spectrum of sonic allusions, ranging from band marches to gospel tunes, from Beethoven's sonatas to melodramatic movie-hall stylings. The result is a work that walks the line between sincerity and irony.