John Coolidge Adams is clearly one of the most prolific, creative and popular of contemporary composers. Born 1947 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he began composing at age ten.
His style can be classified as somewhat minimalist, or what he describes as post-minimalist. Adams has strong orchestration skills, and, in contrast to many minimalists, most of his works are composed for more traditional classical instrumentation, including full orchestras, string quartets and solo pianos. Moreover, his music is often dramatic and stimulating, in contrast to the more subdued nature of much contemporary art music.
Adams is truly prolific, having written eight operas, 22 orchestral works, ten chamber pieces, four choral works, four film scores, etc., and he has been the winner of numerous awards.
One of his best known works is his opera Nixon in China, which was about President Richard Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China and which premiered in 1987. Although it received mixed reviews, it is regarded by many as one of the best of contemporary operas and has endured despite predictions to the contrary.
One of the most frequently performed works of the past several decades is his 1986 Short Ride in a Fast Machine. This short but lively fanfare skillfully utilizes numerous types of percussion instruments, including timpani, three types of wood blocks, pedal bass drum, snare drum, large bass drum, cymbals, large tam tam, tambourine, triangle, glockenspiel, xylophone, and crotales.
John Coolidge Adams has been included by Numu21.org on its list of the twelve greatest living composers.