Lego Christian Zeal and Activity by John Adams

Minimalists are lazy

It wasn't actually originally part of it, however it was kind of made that way by an early intepretation as below. I found this on a blog which mentioned this piece.

"The unique aleatoric element of Zeal is what really makes the piece special. The conductor is directed to place "sonic found objects" into the composition. Edo De Waart, conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra spliced and looped a recording of a 1971 sermon into the piece."

Not just "part" of it. It's the originating material of the work.

Adams and several other Minimalists were well-versed in the techniques of looping, reassembling, and otherwise mutilating audio tapes to magical effect.

If you'd like to hear the possible inspiration for this work, (as well as have your mind blown), check out "It's Gonna Rain" by Steve Reich. In that one, a street preacher's ranting gets molecularly rearranged, reassembled, and spat out whole again in about 10 minutes. :-)

It is kind of funny how many people take this piece as though it were straight sentimentalism or religiosity.

Adams's fascination with how words become blather, and how chorale harmonies can make vanilla of anything, apparently glide past, unnoticed, by some in this audience.

(He's not playing a joke AGAINST you, you know. You're actually expected to notice that something's a little fishy with the sentimentality -- it's the purpose of the whole piece.)

This is a little disturbing!

It was a little disturbing at first- the obvious use of banter in the religious context (because it's never quite as obvious in the actual services), but over the years of listening to it, I've realize that this banter is an element of my identity and the identity of so many others. The soft musical background does frame the piece in a certain context- there's no cleverness there- so what I really enjoy is the true authenticity of the speaker. It can be a religious experience.

My goodness, you've managed to completely miss the ambivalence of this entire work, as though you thought it were just a little bit of sincere Mr Copland!

Didn't you notice the fragmentation of speech? The way the words cease to have meaning? This is a much more complex musical statement than you are giving it credit for!

Try reading up on John Adams' work -- you may get some (albeit rude) but wonderful surprises. He is a master.

I sort of understood your point, ikshields. There's one part where the words are cut off and pasted into, "forgive sin but God." Which just sounds really curious.

But then again, I understand barkingbartok. I mean, in the end music can be an experience, and I think if he experienced a spiritual experience, it's fine. I almost always miss what the composer's intent when writing a piece, but sometimes that's what makes the piece much more enjoyable than if I understood it.

This is really wonderful - a beautiful tribute to a beautiful work. I used it in one of the classes I teach at the Art Institute of Chicago. Thanks.

This piece is sublime; an extraordinary mix of spare chamber music and excerpts from a sermon. Beautiful & moving.