"I think I sensed that conducting could become a major distraction from creative work, and I have been quite conscious about not letting its instant gratification get in the way of the slower, more laborious effort of creative work."
One of America's most admired and frequently performed composers, John Adams was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard University he moved to California, where he now lives.
Aside from a main focus on his work as a composer, John Adams’ conducting career has culminated in strong relationships with orchestras such as the San Francisco Symphony and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, of which he is now “Artist in Association”.
"The difficulty in my music is one of concentration and energy. During rehearsals performers look at it and think 'Oh. This will be a breeze!' But at the performance they're in sheer terror because once the music starts, it absolutely does not stop. My musical images being what they are, it's painfully obvious when someone is not playing the right notes. "
Biography
Spring 07: Adams receives 2007 Harvard Arts Medal
