Adams and Debussy: Ocean Talk

John Luther Adams, now an infamous composer, worked as a full-time environmental activist in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Music is his way of changing the world to reclaim humans’ connection with Earth. His orchestral composition “Become Ocean” received that title because Adams wanted to inspire everyone to care for this planet before the ice melts, the sea level rises, and we all become ocean as it engulfs the world.

“Become Ocean” was scored for a large orchestra divided into three spatially separated groups, which also receive designated colors so that the wave imagery not only exists through sound but also through visuals. The composition begins barely audible, with deep notes, mirroring the deep and dark places of the ocean. At this point, it sounds like rumbling, but slowly the sounds of, presuming, the marimba resemble waves. However, Adams does not stop there: the composition itself is a wave as well: it begins low and deep, like a wave forming itself beneath the surface. Slowly the sounds become louder with more force, more instruments, and a steady wave-like rhythm, emulating a wave as it reaches its peak and crashes against rocks or the water’s surface. Then, the composition turns soft again, slowly phasing out just like a wave that has crashed and is now gently reaching the shore.

Parts of “Become Ocean” were used in the 2016 wilderness movie The Revenant and it is said to be the “modern-day answer to Debussy’s La Mer” (https://www.classical-music.com/). While both compositions share the same theme, namely the ocean, only “La Mer, L.109:3. Dialogue Of The Wind And The Sea” seems somewhat related to “Become Ocean” for the untrained ear. Both compositions capture the force behind the water, the vast deepness, and darkness, but also its light and beauty. While Debussy and Adams use different styles, both “Become Ocean” and La Mer are beautiful pieces.

It is fantastic to see Adams’ environmental motivation coming through in his musical work. “Become Ocean” is an important piece of art that highlights what so many people love to forget: humans’ evolution began in the water and our end might come through the water as well. With the ice melting and sea level rising, “Become Ocean” is a lovely way of portraying not only our possibly dark future but also showing the beauty of the ocean so humans know that not only their own lives are worth saving – but those already living in the ocean and adding to its beauty are worth saving as well.