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John Luther Adams - Become Ocean

 

John Luther Adam’s composition “Become Ocean“ is an orchestral work, which was inspired by the oceans of the Pacific Northwest. Adams lived a big part of his life in Alaska, which had a major impact on his piece, which won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music and a Grammy in 2015. Regarding his composition, Adams comments on the following note in the score: “Life on this earth first emerged from the sea. As the polar ice melts and sea level rises, we humans find ourselves facing the prospect that once again we may quite literally become ocean.“

Adam’s piece illustrates a feeling of the mysterious characteristics of the ocean, caused by the layering rises and falls of the sounds. The orchestra is divided into three groups: woodwinds, brass, and strings. Each group is responsible for playing sequences of slowly moving sounds - the so-called sustained and arpeggios notes. Accordingly, these notes result in a three-way overlap with a constantly differing pattern. The composition demonstrates three points, in which the three groups reach a climax together: the first one is around 7 minutes, the second is reached at 21 minutes and the third climax is around 35 minutes.

While I listened to Adam’s “Become Ocean“ I was completely able to empathize with the title of the composition. The beautiful harmonies and the intense energy convey the impression of being in the middle of the ocean. It seems as if the listener is connected to the ocean and its’ fascinating nature, which was Adam’s aim as seen in his statement: “… musical ecosystem, … A work of art … that is directly connected to the real world in which we live and resonates sympathetically with that world and with the forces of nature.“[1] For me as a listener, it is amazing to hear how an orchestra and a composer can imitate nature and its’ unique feelings and vibes.

Overall, I really enjoyed the listening experience of “Become Ocean“ and admire the art of imitating nature’s feelings and vibes in such an accurate and precise way.


[1] Adams, Mayer. “Northern Exposure“

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