Philip Glass

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hi, no I haven't. I don't think I have seen the original Bela Lugosi Dracula on film in its entirety, only snippets. Greg (GSMoeller) indicated the experience of watching the film with the Glass music as a "soundtrack" is quite an experience.

I imagine that it would be quite the experience!

I found another snippet here, and it's with the dialogue:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YfXRqKhciM

PD

[Mirror Image]

I have to say that so far in my Glass exploration that Symphonies 2 & 3, Violin Concerto and Cello Concerto No. 1 have been the most enjoyable. But of the symphonies, I've only listened to Nos. 1-5. I didn't like the 5th at all. I found it overlong for one thing and I think if it was condensed, it could've made a better impression. Anyway, I haven't been blown away about anything I've heard yet, but I'm keeping an open-mind.

[Mandryka]

I have to say that so far in my Glass exploration that Symphonies 2 & 3, Violin Concerto and Cello Concerto No. 1 have been the most enjoyable. But of the symphonies, I've only listened to Nos. 1-5. I didn't like the 5th at all. I found it overlong for one thing and I think if it was condensed, it could've made a better impression. Anyway, I haven't been blown away about anything I've heard yet, but I'm keeping an open-mind.

Try the first string quartet

[Mirror Image]

Try the first string quartet

I certainly will. I have all of the SQs coming. I think there's eight numbered ones so far.

[Mandryka]

7th quartet also not totally without interest. But IMO most of his important work is theatrical, and the magic's mostly lost on a sound only recording.

[Mirror Image]

7th quartet also not totally without interest. But IMO most of his important work is theatrical, and the magic's mostly lost on a sound only recording.

But if a piece of music is enough to stand on its own, it should still work without the theatrical element, right?

[aukhawk]

I dunno ask Wagner, or Puccini.  Even Bach's St Matthew Passion was written for a specific space with a specific - quite theatrical - distribution of musicians and choirs, and - according to Gardiner - used visual metaphor that would not have been lost on the audience/congregation, even though for most of them the musicians were hidden from view.

I'm sure I've shared this somewhere on this thread, but this is what turned me onto Glass initially. This is from the 1993 release of Einstein on the Beach on Elektra Nonesuch (see pic below). It's titled Knee Play 5, for solo violin, soprano and alto chorus, electric organ and speaker, and closes the opera.

I once played Knee Play 3 (a much faster piece from the same opera) quite loudly and my wife fled the house screaming, with her head clutched in her hands.  Since then, sadly, I have generally used headphones whenever I want to listen to Glass, or Reich.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I dunno ask Wagner, or Puccini.  Even Bach's St Matthew Passion was written for a specific space with a specific - quite theatrical - distribution of musicians and choirs, and - according to Gardiner - used visual metaphor that would not have been lost on the audience/congregation, even though for most of them the musicians were hidden from view.

I once played Knee Play 3 (a much faster piece from the same opera) quite loudly and my wife fled the house screaming, with her head clutched in her hands.  Since then, sadly, I have generally used headphones whenever I want to listen to Glass, or Reich.

Perhaps you can coordinate things the next time you feel like listening to one of those composers?

PD

[Rinaldo]

I'm away for a while and John starts buying up Glass?

[brewski]

It appears that the 2014 Théâtre du Châtelet live broadcast of Einstein on the Beach — over four hours — is now available, and in excellent audio and video. Even though I'm not the most die-hard Glass fan, I've never seen the whole opera, so I'm looking forward to it.

[Karl Henning]

It appears that the 2014 Théâtre du Châtelet live broadcast of Einstein on the Beach — over four hours — is now available, and in excellent audio and video. Even though I'm not the most die-hard Glass fan, I've never seen the whole opera, so I'm looking forward to it.

I'm going to paraphrase Twain, while not seriously proposing to apply it in this case: You can see all four hours of it. After you have done, you will wonder why you have done it, but then it will be too late.

[brewski]

I'm going to paraphrase Twain, while not seriously proposing to apply it in this case: You can see all four hours of it. After you have done, you will wonder why you have done it, but then it will be too late.

Ha! That may prove to be true. I'm more of a fan of Robert Wilson (or have been) so we'll see if his style holds up after all this time.

[Mandryka]

1000 Airplanes. Defo a masterpiece. Why does it make me think of Jeff Koons? There are two amazon reviews which sum up my thoughts about the music perfectly.


This piece is both spiritual and fun, moving back and forth from the litany-like patterns typical of Glass's music and an openly fantastic landscape replete with wonder. A journey best heard loud. Excellent.


And

Gegen das Konzept und die Komposition ist nichts einzuwenden. Was den Hörgenuss empfindlich schmälert, ist der aus heutiger Sicht reichlich antiquierte Synthesizer-Sound, der sehr nach früher 70ern klingt. Eine Darbietung ohne elektronische Instrumente hätte der Aufführung sicher besser getan und dem Werk einen zeitloseren Charakter verliehen.

[AnotherSpin]

1000 Airplanes. Defo a masterpiece. Why does it make me think of Jeff Koons? There are two amazon reviews which sum up my thoughts about the music perfectly.


This piece is both spiritual and fun, moving back and forth from the litany-like patterns typical of Glass's music and an openly fantastic landscape replete with wonder. A journey best heard loud. Excellent.


And

Gegen das Konzept und die Komposition ist nichts einzuwenden. Was den Hörgenuss empfindlich schmälert, ist der aus heutiger Sicht reichlich antiquierte Synthesizer-Sound, der sehr nach früher 70ern klingt. Eine Darbietung ohne elektronische Instrumente hätte der Aufführung sicher besser getan und dem Werk einen zeitloseren Charakter verliehen.

My guess is as follows: there is no direct connection between Philip Glass's 1000 Airplanes on the Roof and the work of Jeff Koons. Nonetheless, their artistic paths reveal a compelling parallel: both pursued their creative visions while engaged in other professions — Glass as a taxi driver and plumber, Koons as a commodities broker — subtly challenging the rigid divide between "amateur" and "professional." Their experiences affirm that artistic legitimacy lies not in financial status, but in dedication, clarity of vision, and the lasting resonance of the work. As the saying goes, you can do your art part time, but you can't do it half-heartedly. Through integrity and perseverance, both Glass and Koons transcended traditional boundaries and became defining figures in contemporary culture.

[Mandryka]

My guess is as follows: there is no direct connection between Philip Glass's 1000 Airplanes on the Roof and the work of Jeff Koons. Nonetheless, their artistic paths reveal a compelling parallel: both pursued their creative visions while engaged in other professions — Glass as a taxi driver and plumber, Koons as a commodities broker — subtly challenging the rigid divide between "amateur" and "professional." Their experiences affirm that artistic legitimacy lies not in financial status, but in dedication, clarity of vision, and the lasting resonance of the work. As the saying goes, you can do your art part time, but you can't do it half-heartedly. Through integrity and perseverance, both Glass and Koons transcended traditional boundaries and became defining figures in contemporary culture.

Good guess!

[Mandryka]

Listening again to 1000 Airplanes, this time I was reminded of Trevor Wishart's Vox 6

It's a gorgeous spring day here, and the music -- Airplanes and Vox 6  -- suits the mood.  I can feel Julius Eastman coming on.

Extraordinary comment in the wikipedia article on Vox. WTF?

The poetics at the base of the work have linguistic and philosophical relevance, regarding the relationship between the creation and disintegration of man, natural developments, and failure of western culture and society. The Raw and the Cooked by Claude Lévi-Strauss influenced the composer's central idea for these compositions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_Cycle

[AnotherSpin]

1000 Airplanes. Defo a masterpiece. Why does it make me think of Jeff Koons? There are two amazon reviews which sum up my thoughts about the music perfectly.

[..]

It turns out that Linda Ronstadt took part in the recording of this album. Strange, of course—though with Glass, everything is strange.

[Mandryka]

This was music for a film of Conrad's The Secret Agent - I haven't seen the film yet. The music is dark, mysterious and spooky. It's a bit bitty, but I like it very much. It's interesting how good a melodist Glass is, and how expressive his music can be.

[foxandpeng]

This was music for a film of Conrad's The Secret Agent - I haven't seen the film yet. The music is dark, mysterious and spooky. It's a bit bitty, but I like it very much. It's interesting how good a melodist Glass is, and how expressive his music can be.

I think Glass has a singular talent. I know he isn't to everyone's taste, but that is true of all composers.

[Mandryka]

Neverwas is another film score and is quite a contrast from The Secret Agent. This is really radiant music, well worth hearing.