When John Adams’ Most Playful Piece Was Booed

Adams came up with the vision for Grand Pianola Music when he was tripping – literally – and audiences weren’t sure what to do with it. “They didn’t know what to make of its puckish rebelliousness. The beginning, a Minimalist shimmer, was familiar territory — albeit scored idiosyncratically for winds, brasses, percussion, two pianos and a trio of siren-like singers. But the finale was audaciously melodic and openhearted, in defiance of contemporary music&rsqu