BREAKING: 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music Awarded to John Luther Adams for 'Become Ocean,' Christopher Cerrone's 'Invisible Cities' Also Nominated

When Roomful of Teeth violinist/vocalist Caroline Shaw won last year's Pulitzer Prize, it was a surprise, indeed.

No such indie surprise this year, though, as ecological minimalist John Luther Adams--long overdue a big career gong--has taken home Columbia U's biggest laurel for Become Ocean.

"A haunting orchestral work that suggests a relentless tidal surge, evoking thoughts of melting polar ice and rising sea levels," writes the Pulitzer board about Adams' winning work.

Also nominated this year: Invisible Cities by 30-year-old Brooklyn composer Christopher Cerrone.

Based on Italo Calvino's classic surrealist novel, Cerrone's opera received its complete, fully-staged world premiere in a site-specific production in Los Angeles' Union Station by Yuval Sharon's company The Industry.

To celebrate Adams' win, listen to Seattle Symphony's music director Ludovic Morlot discuss Become Ocean (and maybe have a stab at John's Classicalite Wordoku-A).

Lest we forget Cerrone's nom, do try out this excerpt from Invisible Cities, as well.