On the Transmigration of Souls / John Adams
2004 Grammy Winner
This Pulitzer Prize– and Grammy Award–winning piece, a New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center's Great Performers co-commission, was written in honor of the heroes and in memory of the victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It was made possible with the generous support of a longtime New York family. The Atlantic Monthly called the piece “a breakthrough” with “something unique to say to a wide public”; London’s Independent dubbed it “imperative listening.”
Reviews
Los Angeles Times
The New York Philharmonic…and the wonderful Brooklyn Youth Chorus presented [John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls] with great care and concern.”
Newsday
“…Adams delivered music of great dignity and restrained power… While the strings arrange themselves into frieze-like chords, two choruses — one of children, the other of adults, both mightily impressive — intone simple words of loss…”
The Boston Globe
“On limited rehearsal time, Maazel, the orchestra, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and the New York Choral Artists gave [John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls] a luminous performance.”
The New Yorker
“At the climax, the massed voices–including the marvelous Brooklyn Youth Chorus, under the direction of Dianne Berkun–sing the words ‘Light! Sky! Day!… Then it all vanishes…”
Baltimore Sun
“The orchestra was admirably responsive, the New York Choral Artists and Brooklyn Youth Chorus, exceptional.”
Star-Ledger
“The children’s chorus, so often used as disembodied angels’ voices, is here woven directly into the texture of the larger choir, and is perhaps Adams’ single most effective writing here. The Brooklyn Youth Chorus was terrific in shaping this halo of sound…”