Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great?: John Adams’ “Shaker Loops”

Updated March 16, 2020: In response to domestic coronavirus developments, Stanford University is strongly discouraging all large-scale university gatherings, effective March 4 through May 15. Stanford Live, in compliance with the university’s decision, is moving to cancel large-scale performances within this time frame. This performance has been canceled—read more.

In his last performance of this season, Kapilow dives into composer John Adams’ “Shaker Loops”, which will be performed by the Alexander Quartet.

Everyone’s favorite down-to-earth explainer of all types of music returns to Stanford Live for three performances. In the first part of each performance, Kapilow illustrates key points of the music and its creators. Then, the full piece is performed. To top off the experience, Kapilow and the musicians take part in a lively and in-depth Q&A with the audience. This season, dive into Beethoven’s riveting Appassionata piano sonata, issues around censorship and the songs of Cole Porter, and John Adams’ “Shaker Loops”—a study in minimalism.