I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky
1995 song play
I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky | |
---|---|
"Song play" by John Adams | |
Librettist | June Jordan |
I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky is a 1995 "song play" with music composed by John Adams and a libretto by June Jordan.[1]
Summary
The story takes place in the aftermath of the 1994 earthquake[2] in Los Angeles, and covers the reactions of all characters to the event.[3]
The main characters are seven young Americans all living in Los Angeles but from different social and ethnic backgrounds.[4][5]
Style
According to the composer, the all song and ensemble piece is "a Broadwaystyle show" fused with gospel,[6] pop ballad, the blues, doo-wop and popular song.[7]
See also
- Contemporary opera
- Minimalism (music)
- Culture of Los Angeles
References
- ^ Swed, Mark (August 25, 2014). "Review: John Adams' 'Ceiling/Sky' remains earthbound". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014.
- ^ Hamlin, Jesse (May 7, 1995). "What's Shakin' With Adams And Sellars? / Composer and director team anew -- this time with poet June Jordan -- an earthquake-inspired love story / 'I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky'". SFGATE.
- ^ "Adams: I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (Highlights)". AllMusic.
- ^ "Adams I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky". Gramophone. February 1999. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ Meisel, Myron (August 25, 2014). "'I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky': Opera Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ Clements, Andrew (October 13, 2005). "Adams: I Was Looking at the Ceiling, Holst-Sinfonietta/ Simon". The Guardian.
- ^ "Adams, J: I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky". Presto Music.
External links
- John Adams' official website - audio sample (title piece)
- Naxos
- Chandos
- v
- t
- e
John Adams
- Nixon in China
- The Death of Klinghoffer
- I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky
- El Niño
- Doctor Atomic
- A Flowering Tree
- The Gospel According to the Other Mary
- Girls of the Golden West
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Shaker Loops (orchestral)
- Harmonielehre
- The Chairman Dances
- Tromba Lontana
- Short Ride in a Fast Machine
- Slonimsky's Earbox
- Lollapalooza
- Naive and Sentimental Music
- Guide to Strange Places
- My Father Knew Charles Ives
- City Noir
- The Wound-Dresser
- Violin Concerto
- Eros Piano
- Century Rolls
- The Dharma at Big Sur
- Absolute Jest
- Saxophone Concerto
- Scheherazade.2
- Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?
- Shaker Loops (string septet)
- Chamber Symphony
- John's Book of Alleged Dances
- Road Movies
- Gnarly Buttons
- American Standard
- Grand Pianola Music
- I Am Love