Short Ride in a Fast Machine by John Adams

[LiquidKnockOut]

Why does this remind me of Zelda Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword?

[adamkstockbridge]

brilliant!

[AMSMeier]

The animation is great. Thank you.

[whiteboyedmund]

Hardest, most exposed snare drum part i have ever played. Good. God.

[Dreadmonkey1]

@whiteboyedmund Oh yeah? Try Revel's Bolero

[iamnotanumberiamaman]

does this piece have anything to do with the large hadron collider, thematically?

[octoberists]

@iamnotanumberiamaman If I remember correctly, John Adams was going for a ride around San Francisco in his friend's new sports car, and was so terrified/inspired that he wrote this piece.

[noobermin]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[VideoGamerGuy100]

Awesome song! Sounds brilliant must of take a lot of hard work to make!

[Pinty007]

Playing this was a privilege, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to play it. One of the hardest pieces I have ever played on the trumpet. 1st trumpet part was class and the tune at the end it awesome. COUNTING.

[DOPPELMOVEMENT]

After I watched this, I just sat there with my mouth open because my brain couldn't process so much awesomeness at once, so I watched it again.

[MTGlipp]

If the Universe has a set opener, this is surely it =)

[Meurglys33]

After Zappa, Adams is my favorite composer. Pure magic.

[Bigjeffashimself]

those trumpets and tuba doing that sort of fanfare at the end give me the chills every time

[christskat]

Listening to this for music appreciation. It is an interesting and lively piece. It made me smile when I heard why he titled the song as he did. John Adams said, "You know when someone asks you to ride in a terrific sports car , and then you wish you hadn't?"

[lixdexical]

Tasteful, classy minimalism. Thanks Mr. Adams.

[rafaelslokar]

incredible!!,

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@rafaelslokar Thanks! Vic :)

[paperplanelover]

anybody who is watching this cause their music teacher told them too give me a thumbs up

[jaralleras]

@paperplanelover no

[paperplanelover]

this animation must of been a lot of work, congrats

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@paperplanelover It was quite a lot of work! There is an awful lot of music anaylsis gone into it before any animation work. Thanks for the comment. Vic :)

[trigger565]

Nice video! Things brings back a lot of memories. I played this one with the Euregion Symphonic Orchestra when I was 13. It was my first encounter with big symphonic music and I have such a good memories about it. We also played Glass, Gystelinck,....Man, I want those times to come back :)

[BitterFlower216]

The Fantasia people at Disney should totally run with this one

[paintpunk4ever]

Trombone Slides? really? haha

[jollie723]

whats the main motif for this minimalist song?

[Ryo0hki]

I Remember playing this piece as part of the UNCG wind ensemble many years ago.. I really miss this

[amandakasem]

5 People want to take a Long Ride in a Slow Machine

[musoderelict]

Close Encounters? I was thinking more Superman myself.

[iamgedanken]

So were these made in the late nineties then?

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@iamgedanken Mainly made in the naughties. Vic :)

[251Emma]

Went to a workshop at the Royal College of Music with my orchestra before I went to see this, and we played a bit of this, and a couple of others from the Doctor Who Prom. The whole workshop was AMAZING though!

[rasmusfribble]

Um... you do know that there are other instruments beside brass instruments in the orchestra, right?

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@rasmusfribble Absolutely! The animation splits the piece into three distinct sections. (Well four, if you count the Spielberg ending!) Educationally, we wanted to focus on the prominent groups of instruments in each section. The first section, as you correctly note, is brass. The second section is strings, hence the cog and peg symbols taken from the string instrument peg box. And the third section introduces some wind instruments so we show some of their metal pads. Vic :)

[lurk42]

@rasmusfribble none that really matter...  ;^)

[loqueid]

I'm very pleased with the artist representation of the minimalist style of music. Good proof of concept for those who aren't quite familiar with this 20th century method of composition.

[NitroRogue]

Im playing this as a freshman in highschool. Its really really hard but I can't wait to get it down.

[opinionatedliberal]

1:36-1:51 is so amazing! If I remember correctly, he is stacking an Eb major chord against an E minor chord! That tension is chilling and awesome. As is what follows. And how brilliant to end it with a beautiful fanfare! Anyone who likes this should check out the first "movement" of this, called Tromba Lontana.

[webytime]

@opinionatedliberal holy shit, i know that!

[KingCrimson776]

I think I might be inspired to compose again.

[MikeMulligan90]

Bass Bone/Tuba line at the 6/4 is the coolest writing EVER.

[llsds1]

@MikeMulligan90 omg dude i have to play that for seating auditions in my conservatory and its such a bitch

[drumfluffable]

@MikeMulligan90 6/4? I'm looking at the piece right now and can't find that anywhere. I play woodblock on this song and I'm following along with the music now. Where is the 6/4? Maybe you mean 6/8?

[jpeswens]

It´s incredibly hard to play for french horn and trumpets.

Amazing recording.

[MikeMulligan90]

@jpeswens Yeah, trombone too! 

[akira1099]

Close Encounters reference?

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@akira1099 Brilliant. The first person to mention. You get 10 points! I am a HUGE Spielberg fan and this was very much my 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' tribute animation. :)

[custino22]

moi je me vois pas dans une machine avec ce morceau. je me vois au galop d'un cheval en train de monter une colline du grand ouest sauvage américain, et à 3 minute 06, j'arrive enfin en haut de cette colline et j'aperçois la plaine, grandiose, avec ses contrées d'herbes hautes jaunies par le soleil.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@custino22 What a beautiful comment. I hope many more people suggest their own idea of what the music suggests to them. :)

[custino22]

@10to1ProductionsLtd thank you. dedicated to richard brautigan lol

[321SPONGEBOLT]

I'd skip to 3:04 for the short version

[lazarod2413]

this is awesome and super cool, I sight read the mallet percussion part, unbelievable it was crazy. Can't wait to break it down & play this for state. The animation is wierd but i think its cool, this is the first John Adams piece I've heard can't wait to listen to more of his work

[psychoflee]

Matrix... :)

[aBoxfulOfVids]

I like how this influenced the soundtrack for The Matrix.

[KirstinStalker]

I went to see this performed by the RSNO last month

It was brilliant

[MusicMadSuperAwesome]

The end of this animation reminds me of the Doctor Who Prom, where I first heard this music and fell in love with it. Spaceships + Short Ride = Amazing. <3

[0wnuall101]

i marched this!!! =)

[NotTheBoom]

RSNO played this on the 26th. :D

[EllaLyra]

Its much better played live. The animation is lovely, but the music on the computer somehow doesnt work

[KarrotKun1]

Very cool

[TommysDaddy]

My wife played this to her class of school infants and one little boy who had been dozing off with boredom from some of the other music she played, suddenly sat up and shouted "that's more like it !". Anything that can get infants to enjoy 'serious' music must be good !

[benblessing]

John Adams is amazing. Nobody matches his rhythmic brilliance. Where his ideas come from could only be created by somebody sitting in a room filled with clocks all day. The same goes for anybody trying to play this crazy stuff. . .

[Blobbert1229]

Oh God... My band is performing this at MICCA....

[Wckirk26]

@Blobbert1229 My Marching Band in 2004 performed this whole song as the opener to our half time show and we marched that tempo. Our instructor was a Juliard PhD. Welcome to freshman yr! It was awesome though.

[joebassplayer]

a bit too trippy and i find all the pulsating bits of brass instruments a bit novel. could do with some real footage of a journey or something. good effort, just a shame you've gotta wait till around 3:07 till the good bit.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@joebassplayer Thanks for the comments. I just wanted to point out that this is primarily an education animation, and the images are all relevant to an educational structural analysis of the piece. So, the music dictates what you see. :)

[DIEZAUBERFLOTEMENSCH]

cool

[myownstunts34]

we r playing this in our marching show this year!!!!!! =] WOOO

[willr07]

@myownstunts34 Hi do you have a link to your corps/band show on video?

[willr07]

@myownstunts34 Hi do you have a link to your corps/band show on video?

[myownstunts34]

we r playing this in our marching show this year!!!!!! =]

[Bandgeekof2011]

This video is Legit!!! and for a GREAT song, too!!

[Unselfless]

Lloyd C. Bird Highschool Marching Band is gonna march this for comptetition

[souljaboy37]

@Unselfless toughest song i'll do since i've been there

[evandrospfc]

tente nao perder o folego.

[YNAUDI]

This music is awesome! Can you make another musical animation?

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@YNAUDI @YNAUDI There are plenty more on my YouTube channel: 10to1ProductionsLtd

[ludwigvan17]

John Adams is good.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@ludwigvan17 John Adams is AMAZING! :)

[DudeB13]

@10to1ProductionsLtd John Adams is INCREDIBLE/AWESOME/BRILLIANT

[stickyfixer]

good job

[MrDaveyBrown]

Great! I'd really like to see one of your animations projected on a big screen and played with a live orchestra. My friend saw this at the LSO and said it was great and helped her to understand and appriciate the music better. It's good to know you are still making these and I hope to be able to see one performed live one day.

[Victor1930]

Whose performance of the music is this? It's a great rendition and should be credited.

[stephencraigen]

@Victor1930 CBSO with Rattle. Pretty much the best recording of Short Ride there is.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@Victor1930 It is indeed the Simon Rattle and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra recording of 'Short Ride'. This album is available if you search for ASIN: B000002RU2 on your favourite music purchasing web site. Vic :)

[MrDaveyBrown]

I wish this guy was still making these animations, I love it and want to see more. If I were a rock star, or I should say when or if I am a rock star, I would like this guy to make an animation video for me.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@MrDaveyBrown Hi! Actually, I am still making them! Vic :)

[ClassicHolic]

how abstract!!

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@ClassicHolic Thanks. I feel that abstract animation art generally fits more closely to the music, especaially as music is quite an abstract concept in itself. I like the fact that abstract art can allow the viewer to have their own personal journey through the work.

[Lso]

Live webcast with John Adams - Sunday 7 March 1pm GMT/8am EST

Tomorrow at at 1pm GMT/8am EST take your chance to ask John about his life and music through a live Facebook webcast, hosted by the London Symphony Orchestra. Search for London Symphony Orchestra on Facebook and find our page to post your questions and watch this exciting event live as part of his residency with us.

[koolboy4ugrls]

i'm playing this piece for the new world youth symphony orchestra. it's going to be performed in Indianapolis downtown at the Hilbert Circle Theatre on May 23rd

[emantock91]

win!!! heyyyyy, me too!!!

[flutegangsta1124]

we are playing this piece for the 2010 honor band of america. i play the flute and the part is crazy! im so excited to be able to play it!! :D

[mikawerner]

congratulations on the animation. EXCELLENT

John Adams rocks

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@mikawerner John Adam's does indeed rock! Thanks for the comments regarding the animation. It was great fun to work on. This kind of project is great when working with such good music. Vic :)

[quagmire475]

amazing! where did you get the animation?

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

@quagmire475 I created it myself for live orchestral performance. Glad you like it. If you would like to learn more about how you can hire it for use in a concert, do get in touch. Vic :)

[quagmire475]

will do!

[quagmire475]

our sister orchestra, the Cornish Youth Orchestra is doing this, they are making a very good job of it.

[MisterLolify]

woop woop cyo ! :) lol! (and thnx!)

[bshendr]

This fits so nicely and I like how the instruments are involved in it. Probably one that I could get away with projecting.

[10to1ProductionsLtd]

Thanks for the comment. Please get in touch if you would like further details of how to hire this animation for live orchestral performance. Vic :)