On the Transmigration of Souls

On the Transmigration of Souls is a composition for orchestra, mixed chorus, children's choir, and pre-recorded tape by the American composer John Adams (born 1947).

Adams began writing the piece in late January 2002, and the music was premiered by the New York Philharmonic on September 19, 2002, at Avery Fisher Hall.

And I don't just mean the transition from living to dead, but also the change that takes place within the souls of those that stay behind, of those who suffer pain and loss and then themselves come away from that experience.

Reviewing the world premiere, Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times wrote, "The richness and solemnity of this music come primarily from its harmony, a subtle mix of sturdy tonality and anxious, stacked-up orchestra chords spiked with shards of dissonance."

He added, "Some listeners may find Mr. Adams's material to be insufficiently involving on a purely musical level.