Going Nuclear – What “Atomic” Sounds Like

“A montage of sounds runs through the score: alarms, screams, strange metallic grindings, scratchy tunes poking through radio static. In the orchestra, the tension jumps from tectonic timpani rumbles to dry staccato sprints in the strings, to gelid woodwind chords. Occasionally, Adams’ score rises to a raging shout, and at other times it relaxes into arias of consolatory beauty. But it never ceases to quiver.”