The Chairman Dances

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For Peter Martins' ballet, see The Chairman Dances (ballet).

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, it should be noted that the word "dances" in the title is a verb rather than a 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. Musical references of this piece can still be found in the third act of Nixon in China.

The work has been recorded by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by De Waart) and by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Rattle).

Sound Clip of The Chairman Dances, and John Adams' Program Notes

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