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Philip Glass: Glassworks
by Nenad Georgievski
In composer Philip Glass' storied career, Glassworks ranks among his best known and most beloved releases. Published at the start of the '80s it also signaled the more refined style characterized by a more refined intensity than the rough dynamic rush of his swirling melodies executed at breakneck speed. The decade before was characterized by long and loud pieces augmented by the bright edged sounds achieved on keyboards that in turn gave that fierce energy for which his early ensembles ...
Continue ReadingFrom the Keyboard: Scarlatti, Glass, & Aho
by C. Michael Bailey
The keyboard repertoire will never grow stale or cliche. These three composers and their interpreters will see to that. Duanduan Hao Domenico Scarlatti: Complete Keyboard Sonatas Vol.16 Naxos 2015 Naxos began their Scarlatti Sonata Cycle with the release of Volume 1 in 1999 with pianist Eteri Andjaparidze at the helm. Fifteen years later, the series reaches Volume 16 (with pianist Duanduan Hao) of a projected 34 volumes. All ...
Continue ReadingPhilip Glass: Low Symphony
by Nenad Georgievski
Back in 1977 singer David Bowie released two groundbreaking records, Low (EMI, 1977) and Heroes, (EMI, 1977) which together with Lodger constitute (EMI, 1979) a famous triptych of records or the iconic Berlin Trilogy. It was during this period that he created some of the critically most acclaimed and forward looking music (but commercially less successful) of his entire career. Inspired and excited by the new electronic music coming from Germany (like Neu, Kraftwerk, CAN, Cluster to name but a ...
Continue ReadingPhilip Glass: The Photographer
by Nenad Georgievski
Apart from the recognizable repetitive patterns and melodies that adorn composer Philip Glass' music, there is also one recurring theme that reappears throughout his rich and illustrious career regardless if it is opera, symphony, theatre piece or soundtrack. That is the lives of luminaries, revolutionaries, discoverers, erudite scholars whose lives, words and actions have made a difference in the world and have inspired his music. In a range that includes Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Pharaoh Ankhnaten, Walt Disney, Galileo Galilei, ...
Continue ReadingPhilip Glass: Visitors
by Nenad Georgievski
One of the most important, interesting and intriguing relationships in the world of film is the one shared by a director and composer. As is known, music is an important component of cinematic identity where many film makers that are considered to be “authors" would have lost their recognizability and allure if they didn't work with the same composers time and again. One of the most celebrated working relationships between a director and a film composer is that of director ...
Continue ReadingPhilip Glass: Einstein on the Beach
by Nenad Georgievski
Philip GlassEinstein on the BeachNonesuch2012 (1993)Music has a tremendous ability to affect human emotions in a very inexplicable manner. It offers a way of communication rooted in emotions rather than in meaning. On the other hand, throughout the ages, music has never lacked controversy and has always been able to create a stir with heated debates, to polarize audiences or simply to provoke a reaction. Be it trumpeter Miles Davis or singer ...
Continue ReadingPhilip Glass: Glass Box - A Nonesuch Retrospective
by John Kelman
Philip GlassGlass Box - A Nonesuch RetrospectiveNonesuch Records2008
Recent studies have proven that music is one of the few disciplines to utilize the entire brain--the left "analytical" side and the right "creative" side. There's no denying the creative aspect of music making, but equally there's a complexity inherent in certain aspects of composition--the determination, for example, that a rhythm in 5/4 and another in 7/4 will intersect every 35 beats--that ... Continue Reading
