Explore the life of John Adams, second US President and committed abolitionist. Learn about his principles, relationships with influential figures, and his remarkable friendship with Thomas Jefferson. Dive into his physical appearance, upbringing, and his complex character. Discover his evolution from a satirical writer to a revolutionary figure and his defense speech during the Boston Massacre.

Is classical music dying? For John Adams the answer is an emphatic no. Considered by Tyler to be America’s greatest living composer, he may well be one of the people responsible for keeping it alive. John’s contemporary classical music is some of the most regularly performed and he is well-known for his historically themed operas such as Nixon in China, Doctor Atomic, and most recently Antony and Cleopatra. He is also a conductor and author of, in Tyler’s words, a “thoughtful and substantive” autobiography. He joined Tyler to discuss why architects have it easier than opera composers, what drew him to the story of Antony and Cleopatra, why he prefers great popular music to the classical tradition, the “memory spaces” he uses to compose, the role of Christianity in his work, the anxiety of influence, the unusual life of Charles Ives, the relationship between the availability and appreciation of music, how contemporary music got a bad rap, his favorite Bob Dylan album, why he doesn’t think San Francisco was crucial to his success, why he doesn’t believe classical music is dead or even dying, his fascination with Oppenheimer, the problem with film composing, his letter to Leonard Bernstein, what he’s doing next, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Recorded September 14th, 2022 Support the podcast by making a donation during this holiday season! Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox. 

John Adams, a celebrated composer and conductor known for blending Minimalism with late-Romantic orchestral harmonies, discusses his influences including Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, and Charles Dickens. He reflects on his early experiences with music, the impact of California's landscape on his compositions, his challenges with musical minimalism, and the controversy surrounding his portrayals of Palestinian terrorism in his operas.