Philip Glass 'Solo Piano': Because Some Days Only Beautiful, Meditative Music Will Do
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Philip Glass's Solo Piano album has always struck me as unlike much of his other work. Although Glass utilises the familiar technique of repetitive themes, the fine shades of difference here seem less imposing than many of his orchestral works, creating a meditative masterpiece.
'Metamorphosis' was written in 1988 and takes its title from a play based on Kafka's short story. Numbers three and four are from Glass's incidental music to the play. Numbers one and two use themes from Glass's soundtrack to the acclaimed Errol Morris film The Thin Blue Line. 'Mad Rush' was written for the occasion of the Dalai Lama's first public address in New York City, in the fall of 1981. It was first performed by Glass on organ during the Dalai Lama's entrance into the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 'Wichita Vortex Sutra' is the result of a chance meeting between two long-time friends, Glass and poet Allen Ginsberg, in St. Mark's Books, a popular bookstore in the East Village. They decided on the spot to do something together, reached for one of Allen's books, and chose the poem 'Wichita Vortex Sutra'. Glass composed the music to match the rhythm of Allen's reading. The piece was first performed in 1988 at a benefit for a theatre group of Vietnam veterans, with Ginsberg reading excerpts from his poem and Glass playing piano.This seven track album is highly recommended for fans of Philip Glass, and for anybody who feels that some days, only beautiful, meditative music will do.
'Metamorphosis' was written in 1988 and takes its title from a play based on Kafka's short story. Numbers three and four are from Glass's incidental music to the play. Numbers one and two use themes from Glass's soundtrack to the acclaimed Errol Morris film The Thin Blue Line. 'Mad Rush' was written for the occasion of the Dalai Lama's first public address in New York City, in the fall of 1981. It was first performed by Glass on organ during the Dalai Lama's entrance into the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 'Wichita Vortex Sutra' is the result of a chance meeting between two long-time friends, Glass and poet Allen Ginsberg, in St. Mark's Books, a popular bookstore in the East Village. They decided on the spot to do something together, reached for one of Allen's books, and chose the poem 'Wichita Vortex Sutra'. Glass composed the music to match the rhythm of Allen's reading. The piece was first performed in 1988 at a benefit for a theatre group of Vietnam veterans, with Ginsberg reading excerpts from his poem and Glass playing piano.This seven track album is highly recommended for fans of Philip Glass, and for anybody who feels that some days, only beautiful, meditative music will do.
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