Ecology of Music Essay

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John Luther Adams approach the idea of engaging the public in his works?

Engaging the public is central to most, if not all, of John Luther Adams's work. For example, in Inuksuit, the idea is to assemble a large number of percussionists outside for a performance. The sound from such an orchestra magnifies on a large scale the sounds of the earth. Earth sounds are essentially mirrored in the composition and its naturalistic, spontaneous performance. No two performances will sound alike, which means the public can be engaged. Each member of the audience is experiencing something completely unique. Another way that John Luther Adams approaches the idea of engaging the public is more direct and straightforward, using language and music both as media of communication. By directly referring to ecological philosophy and political activism, Adams engages the public.

What is significant about writing a piece that has specific and general requirements such as Inuksuit which was created for 9-99 percussionists and intended to be performed out of doors?

The Inuksuit composition was created for a massive orchestra of 99 percussionists and intended to be performed out of doors. The significance of writing this piece is related to Adam's philosophy on the ecology of music. According to Adams, music cannot and should not be separated from nature. This is one reason why Adams deliberately composes and stages his compositions by integrating his own human-generated sounds with the sounds that occur in nature. The specific requirements relate to the general structure of the composition, which is at once loose and organized.

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Combining spontaneity and chaos, the composer perfectly mirrors the essence of the natural universe.

What is the relationship between art and science? How does this relationship inform how you view either/both disciplines?

Adams writes a lot about the connection between art and science, and the relationship between these two subjects. Adams is especially concerned with environmental science and ecology, as "the science of ecology is a study of patterns," just as music is (Adams, n.d., p. 1). In schools, arts and sciences are separated strongly to the point where they rarely occupy the same physical space in a building or same intellectual space in a classroom. However, Adams challenges this segregation of art and science. According to Adams, "art and science can teach us to transcend ourselves, guiding us beyond our anthropocentric obsessions to a more complete and integrated relationship with the earth," (10). On this level, art and science both have a powerful political dimension. This political dimension is linked with Adams's concept of engaging the public in his work, and also to his determination to reveal the way music and ecology are linked. Similarly, Adams writes, "science reminds us of the miracles of the larger world…to which we belong. Art reminds us of the essential connections of the spirit that we share with all beings and all things," (10). Both art and science involve a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of nature, and seek to bring the appreciation of….....

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