MOG Editorial Review

Commissioned to mark the first anniversary of the 9/11 attack, composer John Adams immediately set a benchmark for creating art inspired by the tragedy, exploring a variety of feelings on the event without ever losing its reverence. Combining a series of sweeping, mood-changing orchestral movements with spoken-word portions related to the event, it's the closest anyone has come to capturing every aspect of that fateful day. It steers clear of political motives or divisive patriotism, instead reflecting on the emotional wounds that everyone experienced, not to mention the solemn observance that now accompanies the day every year.