The San Francisco Symphony is engaging John Adams, 54, in an unprecedented
10-year "commissioning relationship" for four world premieres, culminating
in a new work to celebrate the orchestra's centennial in 2011.  The
announcement is coming on the 20th anniversary of Adams "Harmonium"
on his first commission from SFS.  Adams was then the orchestra's
composer-in-residence, appointed in 1979 by Edo de Waart, then SFS
music director.

During the years with de Waart, then Herbert Blomstedt and now Michael
Tilson Thomas in charge, Adams' association with the orchestra continued
in a regular and intensive way as he produced four commissioned works in
Davies Hall and the orchestra gave seven world and US premieres of Adams'
music - including "Grand Pianola Music" (1982), "Harmonielehre" (1985),
"The Chairman Dances" (1986), and "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" (1986),
most recently the January, 2001, North American premiere of his "El Nino."

Calling his relationship with SFS a "family affair," Adams said the
orchestra has an innate feeling for his music and "we seem to understand
each other as though we'd grown from a common gene pool." Tilson Thomas
expressed his admiration for Adams' "vital music" and expressed pleasure
"being a part of realizing more of his vision."

Adams, who lives in Berkeley, continues to perform his own music and
conduct the works of others around the world.  In January, 2002, the
BBC will present an Adams festival entitled "John's Earbox" at London's
Barbican Theatre, surveying the composer's music, and performing the UK
premiere of a new orchestral work co-commissioned by the BBC.

Janos Gereben/SF, CA
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