SAMUEL ADLER
SAMUEL ADLER
Samuel Adler was born March 4, 1928, Mannheim, Germany and came to the United States in 1939. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in May 2001, and then inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in October 2008. He is the composer of over 400 published works, including 5 operas, 6 symphonies, 12 concerti, 8 string quartets, 4 oratorios and many other orchestral, band, chamber and choral works and songs, which have been performed all over the world. He is the author of three books, Choral Conducting (Holt Reinhart and Winston 1971, second edition Schirmer Books 1985), Sight Singing (W.W. Norton 1979, 1997), and The Study of Orchestration (W.W. Norton 1982, 1989, 2001). He has also contributed numerous articles to major magazines and books published in the U.S. and abroad.
Adler was educated at Boston University and Harvard University, and holds honorary doctorates from Southern Methodist University, Wake Forest University, St. Mary’s Notre-Dame and the St. Louis Conservatory. His major teachers were: in composition, Herbert Fromm, Walter Piston, Randall Thompson, Paul Hindemith and Aaron Copland; in conducting, Serge Koussevitzky.
He is Professor-emeritus at the Eastman School of Music where he taught from 1966 to 1995 and served as chair of the composition department from 1974 until his retirement. Before going to Eastman, Adler served as professor of composition at the University of North Texas (1957-1977), Music Director at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas (1953-1966), and instructor of Fine Arts at the Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas (1955-1966). From 1954 to 1958 he was music director of the Dallas Lyric Theater and the Dallas Chorale. Since 1997 he has been a member of the composition faculty at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, and was awarded the 2009-10 William Schuman Scholars Chair. Adler has given master classes and workshops at over 300 universities worldwide, and in the summers has taught at major music festivals such as Tanglewood, Aspen, Brevard, Bowdoin, as well as others in France, Germany, Israel, Spain, Austria, Poland, South America and Korea.
Some recent commissions have been from the Cleveland Orchestra (Cello Concerto), the National Symphony (Piano Concerto No. 1), the Dallas Symphony (Lux Perpetua), the Pittsburgh Symphony (Viola Concerto), the Houston Symphony (Horn Concerto), the Barlow Foundation/Atlanta Symphony (Choose Life), the American Brass Quintet, the Wolf Trap Foundation, the Berlin-Bochum Bass Ensemble, the Ying Quartet and the American String Quartet to name only a few. His works have been performed lately by the St. Louis Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Mannheim Nationaltheater Orchestra. Besides these commissions and performances, previous commissions have been received from the National Endowment for the Arts (1975, 1978, 1980 and 1982), the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, the Koussevitzky Foundation, the City of Jerusalem, the Welsh Arts Council and many others.
Adler has been awarded many prizes including a 1990 award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Charles Ives Award, the Lillian Fairchild Award, the MTNA Award for Composer of the Year (1988-1989), and a Special Citation by the American Foundation of Music Clubs (2001). In 1983 he won the Deems Taylor Award for his book, The Study of Orchestration. In 1988-1989 he was designated “Phi Beta Kappa Scholar.” In 1989 he received the Eastman School’s Eisenhard Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 1991 he was honored being named the Composer of the Year by the American Guild of Organists. Adler was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship (1975-1976); he has been a MacDowell Fellow for five years and; during his second trip to Chile, he was elected to the Chilean Academy of Fine Arts (1993) “for his outstanding contribution to the world of music as a composer.” In 1999, he was elected to the Akademie der Kuenste in Germany for distinguished service to music. While serving in the United States Army (1950-1952), Adler founded and conducted the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra and, because of the Orchestra’s great psychological and musical impact on European culture, was awarded a special Army citation for distinguished service. In May, 2003, he was presented with the Aaron Copland Award by ASCAP, for Lifetime Achievement in Music (Composition and Teaching).
Adler has appeared as conductor with many major symphony orchestras, both in the U.S. and abroad. His compositions are published by Theodore Presser Company, Oxford University Press, G. Schirmer, Carl Fischer, E.C. Schirmer, Peters Edition, Ludwig Music, Southern Music Publishers, Transcontinental Music Publishers. Recordings of his works have been done on RCA, Gasparo, Albany, CRI, Crystal and Vanguard.
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Acrostics Four Games for Six Players (1988) -- 15'
Fl., Ob., Cl., Vln., Vcl., Hpschd.
Published: #114-40876
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40876P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40876S)
Arcos Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and String Orchestra (2008) -- 15'
Fl. Ob. Cl. Bsn. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Written for the concert celebrating the composer’s 80th birthday.
Premiere Information: November 17th, 2008. Arcos Chamber Orchestra, conducted by John-Edward Kelly; Paul Hall, Juilliard School, New York, NY.
Brahmsiana a Celebration for Eight Horns in F (1997) -- 1' 30"
Published: #114-40915
Commission Information: Eastman Horn Choir, Peter Kurau, conductor
Premiere Information: 29th Annual Convention of the International Horn Society, June 1997
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40915P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40915S)
Clarinon Study for B-flat Clarinet Solo (1965) -- 2'
Part of Four Studies for Woodwinds
Published: #114-40101
Diary of a Journey Four Snapshots for Flute, Bassoon and Cello (1995) -- 20'
Published: #114-40875
Commission Information: The Friends of the Phoenix (AZ) Public Library for the dedication of the Music Room
Premiere Information: Arpeggio Ensemble
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40875P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40875S)
Divertissement for Viola and Marimba (2002)
Published: #114-41174
Divertissement for Violin and Marimba (2001) -- 14'
Published: #114-41172
Five Movements for Brass Quintet (1963) -- 10'
Published: #534-02272
Commission Information: Houston Brass Quintet
Flaunting Study for Flute SoloOboration Study for Oboe SoloClarinon Study for B-flat Clarinet SoloBassoonery Study for Bassoon Solo
In Praise of Labor for Voice and Piano
Published: #111-40211
Into the Radiant Boundaries of Light for Viola and Guitar (1993) -- 8'
Published: #114-40725
Premiere Information: John Graham, viola, and Nicholas Goluses, guitar, January 24, 1994, Rochester, NY
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40725P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40725S)
Introit and Toccatina for Two Trumpets and Organ (1982) -- 7'
Published: #534-02288
Premiere Information: Barbara Butler, Charles Geyer and Barbara Harbach, November 12, 1982
Meadowmountetudes Four Etudes for Solo Violin (1988) -- 8'
Published: #114-40724
• Recordings
Pasiphae for Piano and Percussion (1987) -- 9'
Published: #114-40842
Commission Information: James Avery and Steven Schick
Premiere Information: James Avery and Steven Schick, March 16, 1988, Rochester, NY
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40842P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40842S)
Pensive Soliloquy for Saxophone and Piano (1997) -- 5'
Published: #114-40914
Premiere Information: John Sampen, saxophone and Marilyn Shrude, piano at the World Saxophone Congress, Valencia, Spain, summer 1998
• Recordings
Piano Quintet (2000) -- 13'
Published: #114-41123
Commission Information: American String Quartet
Premiere Information: Aspen Music Festival, Summer 2002
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-41123P)
Full Score - Large (#114-41123S)
Ports of Call a Mediterranean Suite for Two Violins and Guitar (1992) -- 14'
Published: #114-40726
Commission Information: Trio Tiento
Movements:
• Alexandria
• Haifa
• Marseille
• Salonika (Thessalonike)
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40726P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40726S)
Praeludium for Brass Choir (1947) -- 6'
Published: #554-01010
Primavera Amarilla for Mezzo-soprano, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano (1993) -- 5'
Published: #111-40157
Premiere Information: Bartok Ensemble; July 15, 1993, Santiago, Chile
Additional Information: Poem by Juan Ramon Jimenez.
Available Separately:Set of parts (#111-40157P)
Full Score - Large (#111-40157S)
Recalling the Yesterdays (2002) -- 17'
Mezzo-soprano, Fl., Cl., Vn., Vc., Pno., Perc.
Published: #111-40195
Available Separately:Set of parts (#111-40195P)
Full Score - Study (#111-40195S)
Romp for String Quartet (2000) -- 3'
Published: #114-41124
Commission Information: Wolf-Trap Foundation, for the Ying String Quartet
Premiere Information: Washington, D.C., April 19, 2001
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-41124P)
Full Score - Large (#114-41124S)
Scherzo Schmerzo for Four Trumpets, Horn, Four Trombones, Tuba and Percussion (2000)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Sonata for Guitar Solo (1985) -- 12'
Published: #114-40509
Commission Information: Stephen Robinson
Premiere Information: Stephen Robinson, November 3, 1985, New York, NY
• Recordings
• Reviews
Sonata for Harpsichord (1982) -- 14'
Published: #110-40672
Premiere Information: Barbara Harbach, March 20, 1984
• Recordings
Sonata for Viola and Piano (1984) -- 15'
Published: #114-40445
Premiere Information: Atar Arad, viola, and Evelyn Branchard, piano, February 23, 1985, New York, NY
Song of Songs Fragments for Mezzo-Soprano, Clarinet, and Piano (2005) -- 7'
Published: #111-40210
String Quartet No. 9 (2009) -- 20'
2Vln. Vla. Vcl.
Premiere Information: April 2009, Esterhazy Quartet
Additional Information: Published: #114-41516
The Sense of Touch Eight Pieces for Piano (1981) -- 10'
Published: #110-40638
Commission Information: Clavier Magazine
Thy Song Expands My Spirit for Piano Solo (1980) -- 3' 30"
Published: #110-40637
Commission Information: Written in tribute for Aaron Copland’s 80th birthday
Premiere Information: Claudia Stevens, April 20, 1981, National Gallery, Washington, D.C.
Trio "5 Snapshots"
Vln. Vla. Vcl.
Additional Information: Published #114-41298
Trumpet Triptych for Seven Trumpets (1979) -- 12'
Published: #534-02401
Commission Information: International Trumpet Guild
Trumpetry: A Fanfare for Two Trumpets (1983) -- 3' 30"
Published: #534-02432
Premiere Information: Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer, October 1983, Rochester, NY
A Psalm Trilogy for SATB Chorus, a cappella (1997) -- 10'
Published: #312-41730
Commission Information: The Endowment Fund of the American Choral Directors Association
• Recordings
Five Choral Scherzi (2008) -- 15'
SATB Chorus, Viola, Guitar
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 13 February, 2009; Christopher Keniff, Guitar, Brett Deubner, Viola; Eastman Chorale, conducted by William Weinert. Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
Rogues and Lovers a Folksong Suite for Chorus and Wind Ensemble (1995) -- 18'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: United States Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants
Available Separately:Choral Part(s) (#412-41079)
Piano/Vocal Score (#412-41079S)
Full Score - Large (#416-41151)
The Fugitives (1990) -- 2'
Part of Two Shelley Songs
Published: #362-03339
Commission Information: Ithaca College
To- (1980) -- 3' 10"
Part of Two Shelley Songs
Published: #362-03338
Commission Information: Ithaca College
To Remember: to be remembered (1987) -- 8'
Published: #312-41710
Commission Information: Choir of Western Kentucky
Premiere Information: Choir of Western Kentucky, Kenneth Davis conducting, February 18, 1988, ACDA Convention, Winston-Salem, NC
All Nature Plays An Overture for Orchestra (2009) -- 9'
2(dbl. Picc.) 2 2 2 - 2 2 2 0; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by and dedicated to the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: Feb. 10, 2010, Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Roger Briggs, Bellingham, WA
American Airs and Dances (1998) -- 15'
3(dbl.Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Art Creates Artists a Celebration for Orchestra (1996) -- 2' 30"
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-3; 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Atlanta Center for the Arts
Premiere Information: Florida Youth Orchestra, Jonathan May conducting, February 1997
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41166)
Beyond the Pale A Portrait of a Klezmer for Clarinet and String Orchestra
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Available Separately:Full Score - Study (#416-41278)
Bridge to Understanding, A A Suite for Orchestra (2007) -- 18'
3 3 3 2 – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp.(opt.) Cel.(opt.) Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the Empire State Youth Orchestra for its New Music for a New Generation Festival. Supported by the New York State Music Fund.
Premiere Information: March 8th, 2008. Empire State Youth Orchestra, conducted by Helen Cha-Pyo, Albany, NY
Additional Information: [n.b. Mvts. III and IV (folk song settings) may be performed separately.]
Movements:
• I. Overture
• II. Lyric
• III. Scherzo (Czech Folk Song)
• IV. Memories (American Folk Song)
• V. Finale
Centennial a Celebration for Symphony Orchestra (1993) -- 4'
3 2 2 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in celebration of its 100th Anniversary
Premiere Information: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Yuri Temirkanov conducting, October, 1995
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41216S)
Concerto "Shir Ha Ma'alot" for Solo Woodwind Quintet (1991) -- 20'
0 0 0 0 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Akademie Orchester der Stadt Mannheim
Premiere Information: Maalot Quintet, Akademie Orchester der Stadt Mannheim, June 1, 1992, Mannheim, Germany
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1995) -- 24'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3(B.Tbn.) 1; Timp. 3Perc. Pno. Cel. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Eastman School of Music
Premiere Information: Stephen Geber and the Eastman Philharmonia, Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting, October 6, 1998
• Reviews
Available Separately:Piano Reduction (#114-41018)
Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra (1994) -- 21'
Solo Guitar; 2 2 2 2 - 2 2 0 0; Timp. Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Nicholas Goluses, Stephen Robinson, and Adam Holzman
Premiere Information: Nicholas Goluses, Stephen Robinson, and Adam Holzman, April 16, 1996, Orlando, Florida
Available Separately:Piano Reduction (#114-40829)
Concerto for Horn and Orchestra (2002) -- 20'
Solo Hn.; 3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 2 - 4 3 3(B.Tbn.) 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Available Separately:Piano Reduction (#114-41213)
Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (2000) -- 20'
Solo Vla., 3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 2 - 4 3 3(B.Tbn.) 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Randolph Kelly, soloist, October 6, 2000
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Piano Reduction (#114-41125)
Full Score - Large (#416-41261)
Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (1997) -- 22'
2-2-2-2; 2-2-2-1; Timp., 2Perc., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Friends of Today’s Music for the Music Teachers Association of California for their 100th anniversary, 1997
• Recordings
Available Separately:Piano Reduction (#410-41318)
Drifting on Wind and Currents A Poem for Orchestra (2010) -- 8'
3(Picc.) 2 2 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Dedicated to Dr. Lewis Aronow in honor of his wife Gladys Aronow for the Las Vegas Philharmonic, David Itkin, Music Director
Premiere Information: Nov. 20, 2010, Las Vegas Philharmonic, conducted by David Itkin
Elegy for String Orchestra (1962) -- 7' 30"
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Donald Johanos, conducting, November 1962
Available Separately:Full Score - Study (#416-41055)
In Just Spring Overture for Symphony Orchestra (1984) -- 8'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in honor of Joseph Primavera
Premiere Information: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Jona The Man Without Tolerance. A Cantata for Soprano, Tenor, Baritone Soli, Choir and Orchestra (2004) -- 35'
Sop., Ten., Bar. Soli; SATB Chorus; 2 2 2 2 - 3 3 3 0; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by and dedicated to the Bach Choir of Christus Kirche, Mannheim, Johannes Michel, Music Director
Premiere Information: North American Premiere: December 19, 2004
Lux Perpetua a Poem For Organ And Orchestra (1998) -- 14'
Org. solo; 3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3(B.Tbn.) 1; Timp. 3Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Wayne Foster, organ, Andrew Litton conducting, February 12, 1999
• Reviews
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#113-40038)
Solo Part (#113-40038P)
Solo Part with Piano Reduction (#113-40040)
Man Lebt Nur Einmal (Darum Tanzen Wir) Dance Suite for Large Orchestra -- 23'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. 2Vln. Vla. Vcl. Cb.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by The Musikalische Akademie des Nationaltheater-Orchesters, Mannheim
Premiere Information: February, 1st 2005, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, conducted by Peter Sommer
Piano Concerto No. 3 for Piano and String Orchestra -- 15'
Solo Pno.; Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the Rivers Music School for the 26th Seminar on Contemporary Music
Premiere Information: April 4, 2004 Boston
Shadow Dances Suite of Dances for Orchestra (1990) -- 15'
3(Picc.) 3 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute in memory of R. Boyd Gunning
Premiere Information: Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, June 1991
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41164)
Show An Affirming Flame a Poem for Orchestra (2001) -- 5'
2(Picc.) 2 2 2 - 2 2 0 0; Timp. Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: New York Chamber Symphony Orchestra in memory of the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001
Premiere Information: New York Chamber Symphony, Gerard Schwarz conductor, Alice Tully Hall, New York, NY, November 3, 2001
• Reviews
Symphony No. 1 (1953) -- 22'
3 3 2 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Walter Hendl conducting; December 1953
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41161)
Symphony No. 2 (1957) -- 24'
3 3 3 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. Perc. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Walter Hendl conducting, February 1958
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41162)
Symphony No. 6 (1985) -- 22'
3 3 3 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. Perc. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Koussevitsky Foundation
Premiere Information: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, David Zinman conducting
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41163)
Time In Tempest Everywhere for Soprano, Oboe and Chamber Orchestra (1993) -- 17'
2-1-2-2; 2-0-0-0; Perc., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: The Plymouth Trio and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony
Premiere Information: The Plymouth Trio and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Ed London conducting, May 7, 1995
• Reviews
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#416-41266)
Two Meditations for Organ (1955 and 1964) -- 1' 30"
Published: #153-00399
• Recordings
When Jesus Wept Prelude for Organ (1983) -- 5'
Published: #143-40006
Additional Information: Transcribed by Samuel Adler from Schuman's original version for Band (also available).
• Recordings
Concerto for Guitar and Wind Ensemble -- 21'
Picc. 2Fl. 2Ob. E.H. 3Cl. B.Cl. 2Bsn. Cbsn. 2A.Sax. T.Sax. 3Tpt. 2Hn. 2Tbn. Tu. Cb. Timp. 2Perc.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Serenata Concertante for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Saxophone soli and Wind Ensemble (1997) -- 24'
Fl. Ob. Cl. Bsn. A.Sax. Soli; 3(Picc.) 2 2(B.Cl.) 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. A.Sax.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Sixteen university bands
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#415-41116)
Albany Records TROY 328: Choose Life
University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra; Timothy Koch, conductor, Alan Feinberg, piano
"…textural and tuneful elements successfully rub shoulders…the range of contrast is wider [than other viola concertos], the orchestration more colorful (listen to the inventive writing for solo accompanied by temple blocks in the finale). I would say that it represents a major contribution to the genre."-www.classicstoday.com"Mr. Adler wrote a lovely orchestra part for this Concerto, and it fits with the viola nicely. They were balanced well, sometimes complimenting, sometimes contrasting each other, but always making musical sense. This was a truly delightful piece ... I certainly hope that this piece makes its way into the standard viola repertoire soon."-Paul Richelmi, The Pittsburgh Tartan"The Concerto reflects Adler’s love of the viola, which was his own instrument, as well as his quick-witted, and it must be said, quirky mind. It pushes the viola to its limits. This music is genuinely memorable."-Mark Kanny, Pittsburgh Tribune"This exhilarating three-movement work walks a fine line between accessibility and substance. The orchestration is especially skillful and wonderfully diaphanous at times. The work came across like a cheerful, untroubled piece which is essentially what the composer was shooting for in varying degrees"-Andrew Druckenbrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"…a skillfully put-together and most effective work."-Allan Kozinn, New York Times
"Adler’s Sonata is a work that is both streamlined and confidently written, a splendid contemporary guitar piece. It recalls Britten’s Nocturnal without the color."-Ellis, American Record Guide
"Adler consistently finds new things to say within his chosen musical language and makes wonderfully resourceful use of his tiny forces. This piece is a winner in every way"-John Story, Fanfare
"…mysterious chants, quizzical chattering, jazzy riffs and virtuosic flights came together to form a substantial and vigorous whole."-Donald Rosenberg, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Adler exploits all the resources of the organ. It is a bright, outgoing piece in which the organ becomes the assertive partner of the large orchestra. It was a breath of fresh air in this season and its attractive melodies in a basically theatrical setting made this piece a most celebratory and thrilling work."-Olin Chism, The Dallas Morning News
"Everything sounds organically grown with an impeccable ear for detail and color. Adler makes explosive use of the chamber orchestra, but evokes tenderness and delicacy as the texts raise more questions than answers. A fascinating and haunting work."-Donald Rosenberg, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
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