Gnarly Buttons is a composition for solo clarinet and chamber ensemble by the American composer John Adams.
[1] The New York City premiere was in October 1997, with David Shifrin as the clarinet soloist and Ransom Wilson conducting musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
[2] Gnarly Buttons is composed of three movements, with the following titles: In addition to the solo clarinet, the work is scored for thirteen musicians, including a banjo player (who doubles on mandolin and guitar), a cor anglais, a bassoon, a trombone, piano, two sampling keyboards (loaded with samples that include accordion, clarinet, and cow), and strings.
Adams has said “The three movements are each based on a 'forgery' or imagined musical model.” He has also stated that Gnarly Buttons was influenced in part by his father's passing due to Alzheimer's disease.
[3] Adams has provided a short explanation for the title, claiming that it was a reference to the "gnarly buttons" on many trees, as well as the keys on a clarinet.