The Chairman Dances
Encyclopedia
The Chairman Dances is a 1985 composition by John Adams. Subtitled Foxtrot for Orchestra, the piece lasts about 13 minutes. The piece was composed on commission from the Milwaukee Symphony
, and is described by Adams as an "out take" from Act III of the opera he was working on at the time, Nixon in China
.
Although the piece incorporates several dance-like tunes, the word "dances" in the title is a verb rather than a plural noun. It is meant to depict Madame Mao
gatecrashing a presidential banquet, hanging paper lanterns, and performing a seductive dance. The Chairman Mao
descends from his portrait, and the two dance a foxtrot, back in time together. The piece ends with the sound of a gramophone winding down.
The work has been recorded by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Edo de Waart
) and by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
(conducted by Simon Rattle
).
The work was also used by the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps
as the opener for their 2008 production, "3hree: Mind, Body and Soul", and by the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps
as the opener for their 2011 production, "A Dancer's Dream".
The Chairman Dances appears in the Modern Era soundtrack of Civilization IV
, along with several other pieces by Adams. It also appears as a main track in the 2009 Italian drama film I Am Love
.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
, and is described by Adams as an "out take" from Act III of the opera he was working on at the time, Nixon in China
Nixon in China (opera)
Nixon in China is an opera in three acts by John Adams, with a libretto by Alice Goodman. Adams' first opera, it was inspired by the 1972 visit to China by US President Richard Nixon. The work premiered at the Houston Grand Opera on October 22, 1987, in a production by Peter Sellars with...
.
Although the piece incorporates several dance-like tunes, the word "dances" in the title is a verb rather than a plural noun. It is meant to depict Madame Mao
Jiang Qing
Jiang Qing was the pseudonym that was used by Chinese leader Mao Zedong's last wife and major Communist Party of China power figure. She went by the stage name Lan Ping during her acting career, and was known by various other names during her life...
gatecrashing a presidential banquet, hanging paper lanterns, and performing a seductive dance. The Chairman Mao
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
descends from his portrait, and the two dance a foxtrot, back in time together. The piece ends with the sound of a gramophone winding down.
The work has been recorded by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Edo de Waart
Edo de Waart
Edo de Waart is a Dutch conductor, and the Music Director of both the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra....
) and by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is a British orchestra based in Birmingham, England. The Orchestra's current chief executive, appointed in 1999, is Stephen Maddock...
(conducted by Simon Rattle
Simon Rattle
Sir Simon Denis Rattle, CBE is an English conductor. He rose to international prominence as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and since 2002 has been principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic ....
).
The work was also used by the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class drum and bugle corps based in Santa Clara, California and founded in 1967, and is a member corps of Drum Corps International...
as the opener for their 2008 production, "3hree: Mind, Body and Soul", and by the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps
Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps
The Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age or senior drum and bugle corps based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Buccaneers, also known by the nickname The Bucs, are charter members of Drum Corps Associates.-Pre-DCA :...
as the opener for their 2011 production, "A Dancer's Dream".
The Chairman Dances appears in the Modern Era soundtrack of Civilization IV
Civilization IV
Sid Meier's Civilization IV is a turn-based strategy, 4X computer game released in 2005 and developed by lead designer Soren Johnson under the direction of Sid Meier and Meier's studio Firaxis Games. It is the fourth installment of the Civilization series...
, along with several other pieces by Adams. It also appears as a main track in the 2009 Italian drama film I Am Love
I Am Love (film)
I Am Love is a 2009 Italian film directed by Luca Guadagnino set around 2000 in Milan. The film follows a haute bourgeoisie family through changing times and fortunes, and its disruption by the force of passion. The cast is led by Tilda Swinton as Emma Recchi...
.