S & M: No Leaf CloverAn artist's talent lies in the ability to recreate a sense of reality and communicate that experience. When such timeless thoughts are offered to the public in an honest manor, it is the achievement of a true artist. Artists like Pablo Picasso, Langston Hughes and the Beatles thrived on taking such honest risks. In 1999, the San Francisco Symphony and the hard rock band Metallica redesigned the concept of risk-taking in reality for the world of artists. A young composer named Michael Kamen has died at the age of 55. He has had the pleasure of conducting The London Philharmonic Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony. He aspired to share creative energy with rock legends like Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton. In 2002 it was his talent that kept the world company during the Winter Olympics. In the late 1980s alternative rock was working on creating its own symphonies. The band Metallica, known for its speed metal and talented array of chords, has developed a new musical language. Their songs ranged from 2, to 9, to 20 minute riffs. They attracted the attention of emotionally enthusiastic listeners. The use of electric guitar, aggressive vocals, and dynamic tempos made their music appealing to extraordinary audiences (Holm-Hudson 189). Michael Kamen responded to the unique ingredients of Metallica's guitar and decided to collaborate with the metal band. In 1999 Kamen and the San Francisco Symphony merged with Metallica to produce the album S & M. Kamens' orchestra consisted of violins, violas, cellos, basses, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets and trombones. Other instruments included the tuba, harp timpani, keyboard and of course percussion. Metallica has four musicians, two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist. The lead guitarist is also the lead singer. In the S&M CD cover insert, Michael Kamen wrote about "leading a conversation between two different worlds that share the same language." Like composers Hector Berlioz and Ludwig Van Beethoven, Kamen experienced life through music and spoke of life's journeys in symphony (Lang 131). He continued to put it simply: "Combining the San Francisco Symphony and Metallica... it was real... .. middle of paper ......those with an oil-only portfolio may have perfected their craft, but they have closed the opportunity to learn from others who might share the same appreciation In the S&M symphony conducted by Michael Kamen , and composed by Metallica, it is clear that both meet the criteria of honest artists Both for the artist and the viewer, a sense of emotion is released when you relate to each other. Michael Kamen and Metallica have worked to embrace each other's talents. It's very nice to see two different artists eager to learn and so willing to invite the audience into their reality. Melvin Guide to Sonatas: Music for one or two instruments. Anchor Books, New York, 1991. Holm, Kevin, Progressive Rock, New York, 2002 Norton. Norton and Company Inc. New York 1969. Walser, Rober. MetallicaOxford University Press., 2003.http://www.grovemusic.com/shared/views/article.html?section=music.49160#music.49160