Kazuki Conducts John Adams' Harmonium in Birmingham

Conductor Kazuki Yamada led the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) in a performance of John Adams' "Harmonium" at Symphony Hall on July 5, 2026. The concert, part of a broader celebration of American composers, framed Adams' 1980 work with pieces by Aaron Copland and Joan Tower. Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" opened the program, followed by Tower's work, which was described as a parallel feminist statement. Florence Price's "The Heart of A Woman" was also featured, adding a Broadway flourish to the evening's program. The concert is set to travel to the Proms later in the month with the CBSO. The repertoire choice reflects a trend among orchestras this year to program well-known American composers to attract broad appeal, with the anniversary of American Independence, dubbed "Freedom 250" by marketers, serving as a thematic anchor. The selection included composers such as Gershwin, Barber, Bernstein, Adams, Glass, John Williams, and Duke Ellington, aiming for full concert halls.