The Chairman Dances (1985). John Adams

Recent performances in a phrase...

Andrew Woodrow on the Toronto Symphony Orchestra:

• The Chairman Dances. John Adams - a great opportunity to dazzle
• Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Leonard Bernstein - still sparkling
• Adagio for strings. Samuel Barber - mesmerizing, at it always is
• Rhapsody in Blue. George Gershwin - But he [Darrett Zusko] played against the orchestra

Steve Smith on the Brooklyn Philharmonic:

• untitled fanfare. John Corigliano - who gamely blew antiphonal riffs seemingly borrowed from the theme to TV western Bonanza on kazoos
• Symphonies of Wind Instruments. Igor Stravinsky - an introverted rendition
• Hymn to Aten from Akknaten. Philip Glass -  an aria that is arguably Philip Glass's loveliest creation

Ben Mattison previews a premiere at Indiana University:

• Our Town. Ned Rorem - According to IU, many composers, including Aaron Copland, have sought to set Wilder's play to music in the past, but the Wilder opposed the idea.

SFMike on the San Francisco Ballet (with his usual fine photos):

• Rodeo. Aaron Copland - tomboy wants a man and can't get one until she puts on an ugly dress and dances with the two cutest guys