I’m a big fan of minimalism, and have been since I first discovered Steve Reich’s music back in the late 1970s. I like much of Reich’s music, and am a bit less enamored of Philip Glass’s compositions, but I like a lot of his early music. Sony is releasing a 24-CD box set of Philip Glass’s complete recordings with that label. (Amazon.com, Amazon UK)
The set contains Glassworks, the disc that found early popularity, works like Einstein on the Beach (the original recording), The Photographer, his wonderful Solo Piano album, and Koyannisqatsi, the soundtrack for the documentary that sealed his reputation as a skilled composer of movie soundtracks.
Glass later discovered that repetition not only within works but from work to work was a viable alternative, and, founding his own label, Orange Mountain Music, went on to release dozens of CDs of his works. You can even get a box set of his ten symphonies, if you want to discover his later music. (Amazon.com, Amazon UK)
I’m not much of a fan of the later music, and I feel that by the late 1980s, Glass had said pretty much all he had to say. As such, this is an essential box set, and I’ll be picking it up.
Read what I’ve written about Einstein on the Beach: here, here, and here.
Oh, and if you want more Glass, the recent revival of Einstein on the Beach has just been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
I got somewhat into Philip Glass in my early classical music listening days, as a result of a good friend in college who was a fan. Since then, I’ve listened to him very little. I think I’ll plan to get this box to make a re-acquaintance.
I got somewhat into Philip Glass in my early classical music listening days, as a result of a good friend in college who was a fan. Since then, I’ve listened to him very little. I think I’ll plan to get this box to make a re-acquaintance.
You only need one disc. Set it to repeat.
You only need one disc. Set it to repeat.
Yep, that’s the typical simple minded criticism of those who don’t get his music.
Consider that repetition is an essential element of all music. Have you listened to classical Indian music? Do you dismiss this with such facility as well?
For those without sealed ears and minds I’d recommend the Glass String Quartets and his incomparable opera La Belle et la Bete.
Yep, that’s the typical simple minded criticism of those who don’t get his music.
Consider that repetition is an essential element of all music. Have you listened to classical Indian music? Do you dismiss this with such facility as well?
For those without sealed ears and minds I’d recommend the Glass String Quartets and his incomparable opera La Belle et la Bete.