John Adams's new album, City Noir, which comprises the title piece and the debut recording of his Saxophone Concerto, both performed by the St. Louis Symphony led by Music Director David Robertson and featuring saxophonist Timothy McAllister, has been named among NPR Music's 25 Favorite Albums of 2014 (So Far). "2014 has, in its first six months, been a wonderful year for musicians who go deep. The 25 albums on this list," says NPR, "all start with a sound, a vibe, a concept or crucial idea. After that, they flower in different ways."

NPR Music's Anastasia Tsioulcas says that "soloist Timothy McAllister is simply outstanding. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Robertson are born naturals for this music, turning in fresh, dynamic and invigorating performances."

Read more and see the complete list of 25 Favorite Albums of 2014 (So Far) at npr.org.

In a new four-star review of the album, the Financial Times says: "Judging by City Noir, Adams has expanded the vocabulary of American music, combining the Californian film industry's polyglot aesthetic with his own virtuoso orchestral technique."

To pick up a copy of the City Noir album with Saxophone Concerto, head to iTunes or the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include a download of the complete album at checkout; it is also available to purchase there as MP3s and FLAC lossless files.

Timothy McAllister joins the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra and Music Director Marin Alsop for the West Coast Premiere of Adams's Saxophone Concerto at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on August 9. For tickets, visit cabrillomusic.org.