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.
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