John Adams was inspired by an exhibition at Paris’ Institute du Monde Arabe that included the history and evolution of the “Arabian Nights” folk tales and was particularly struck by the story of Scheherazade. This led him to imagine a modern day Scheherazade, an “empowered, liberated spirit embodied in the multifaceted solo violin role.” As he says in his liner note, “The casual brutality toward women that lies at the base of many of these tales prodded me to think about the many images of women oppressed or abused or violated that we see today in the news on a daily basis.

"Thinking about what a Scheherazade in our own time might be brought to mind some famous examples of women under threat for their lives, or women routinely attacked and even executed by religious fanatics in any number of countries,” he continues. “The modern images that come to mind certainly aren’t exclusive to the Middle East-we see examples, if not quite so graphic nonetheless profoundly disturbing, from everywhere in the world, including in our own country.”

With this in mind, Adams created this dramatic symphony, with the solo violin portraying Scheherazade. “While not having an actual story line or plot, the symphony follows a set of provocative images: a beautiful young woman with grit and personal power; a pursuit by ‘true believers;’ a love scene that is both violent and tender; a scene in which she is tried by a court of religious zealots; and a final ‘escape, flight, and sanctuary,’” he says. At the same time, notes the composer, “Scheherazade.2 is also a virtuoso romantic symphony-concerto on the grand scale which acknowledges its predecessors in works by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Berg.

The piece was composed specifically for Josefowicz, with whom Adams collaborated closely during its composition. The violinist, who is a passionate advocate of new music, has given numerous performances of Adams’ works-notably his Violin Concerto; his electric violin concerto, The Dharma at Big Sur; and Road Movies, which she recorded for Nonesuch. "I find Lila a perfect embodiment of that kind of empowered strength and energy that a modern Scheherazade would possess,” he says of his friend and colleague.