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I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky

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I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky
"Song play" by John Adams
LibrettistJune 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]

The work is scored for 3 mezzo sopranos, high tenor, and 2 baritones, accompanied by an ensemble comprising 2 reed players (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone), 3 keyboards (piano, keyboard samplers), acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass guitar (doubling on double bass) and drum set (doubling on MIDI drums).

Summary

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Swed, Mark (August 25, 2014). "Review: John Adams' 'Ceiling/Sky' remains earthbound". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Adams: I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (Highlights)". AllMusic.
  4. ^ "Adams I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky". Gramophone. February 1999. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Clements, Andrew (October 13, 2005). "Adams: I Was Looking at the Ceiling, Holst-Sinfonietta/ Simon". The Guardian.
  7. ^ "Adams, J: I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky". Presto Music.
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