Margaretta MitchellJohn Adams

(MUSIC)

STEVE EMBER: More recently, John Adams composed a piece in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September eleventh, two thousand one. "On the Transmigration of Souls" earned a Pulitzer Prize as well as three Grammy Awards.

(MUSIC: “On the Transmigration of Souls,” Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)

John Adams took words from missing-person signs that had been put up by friends and family members immediately after the attacks. He also used the names of victims and personal stories about their lives that appeared in the newspaper. He said he wanted the music to express a sense of otherworldliness, like the listener is in the presence of generations of souls.

John Adams is a writer not only of music: he is currently working on a novel.

(MUSIC: “Red Violin Caprices” by John Corigliano, violinist Philippe Quint)

BARBARA KLEIN: John Corigliano writes many different kinds of music. Much of it is bold and expressive. He grew up in New York City in a family of musicians.

John Corigliano

He has written several symphonies as well as music for movies. His "Red Violin" concerto was developed from music that he wrote for the movie of the same name. Another of his works is called "Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan."

(MUSIC: “All Along the Watchtower,” Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)