A discussion on Philip Glass...

[Kevin 23]

The typical Philip Glass jokes aside, I'm a big fan of his film work. His distinctive style of repeating passages/phrases never gets repetitive enough for me.

I like (not in descending order of preference):

-The Illusionist (probably his best work)

-The Hours (should have won the Oscar instead of Goldenthal's Frida)

-Cassandra's Dream

-Mishma: A Life in Four Chapters

-Koyaanisqatsi

-Powaqqatsi

-Naqoyqatsi

[indy4 160]

I only have two of his albums: The Illusionist and a free sampler from Amazon (which I can't recommend more, as it is free). I love most of his music. It is repetitive, but I can take his style in moderate doses. My favorite things he's written include "The Orange Tree," "Etude No 2," and "The Grid."

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

A.........A............A..........Aa..........A............Aa............A.....

[Jim Ware 638]

His film work pales in comparison to his concert work (although having said that Mishima is one of my favourite film scores of all time). Itaipu and Symphonies Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are all rather good.

You can't call yourself a Philip Glass fan until you've endured a live performance of Music in Twelve Parts.

[Sandor 918]

I've always LOVED his theme from Candyman. I still play it on a regular basis more than 15 years later.

[Omen II 1,300]

I had no idea at the time, but my first exposure to his music was

.

What with that and Milk, no wonder I grew up liking film music.

[Kevin 23]

His film work pales in comparison to his concert work (although having said that Mishima is one of my favourite film scores of all time). Itaipu and Symphonies Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are all rather good.

You can't call yourself a Philip Glass fan until you've endured a live performance of Music in Twelve Parts.

You can't call yourself a Philip Glass fan until you've endured a live performance of Einstein on the Beach.

[hornist 1,261]

Many great moments in his music but in the end it's not that great music for me.

Illusionist is the only film score that works and concert music has its moments but definitely

minimalism isn't very strong brand in the music history.

[Jim Ware 638]

His film work pales in comparison to his concert work (although having said that Mishima is one of my favourite film scores of all time). Itaipu and Symphonies Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are all rather good.

You can't call yourself a Philip Glass fan until you've endured a live performance of Music in Twelve Parts.

You can't call yourself a Philip Glass fan until you've endured a live performance of Einstein on the Beach.

I haven't had the opportunity to do that as yet (although I do have the full conductor's score here) - but next year: http://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=11928

Many great moments in his music but in the end it's not that great music for me.

Illusionist is the only film score that works and concert music has its moments but definitely

minimalism isn't very strong brand in the music history.

'Minimalism' is a meaningless and irrelevant term.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

'Minimalism' is a meaningless and irrelevant term.

Just like sugarfree!

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Phillip Glass is good bottled. No refills.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Boring

[Morn 8]

I love Philip Glass, the Koyaanisqatsi trilogy of films is simply fantastic film music.

[A24 5,156]

Philip Glass is good at making arpeggios but when I listened to his violin concerto (way more traditional in style) I felt that he is not as musically well-read or talented as his colleagues (past or present).

Alex

[Morn 8]

Right, he's not Michael Nyman or John Adams.

But he's good.

[crocodile 9,724]

I used to like him, but got bored after 4-5 CD of his.

Karol

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I got bored/headaches after 2. Notes On A Scandal was the first score I heard by him, and liked it enough in theaters to buy the score afterwards. After that, it's all the same so there's no need to buy anything else.

[Ollie 1,375]

While slightly familiar with him I don't have any of his works. I suppose if I had the time I might want to revisit his career, which is quite diverse and much larger that I originally realized.

Unfortunately I mostly have the image of his music that was used on South Park.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Unfortunately I mostly have the image of his music that was used on South Park.

Which is pretty accurate.

I'm pretty sure I posted it here before.

[Ollie 1,375]

I know it's here somewhere.

[Wojo 2,458]

I bought his free Orange County sampler at Amazon but haven't listened to it yet.

[compos24 0]

Anyone who wishes to challenge the idea that Philip has not been well-trained should look up his history.

For anyone who knows of her, you do NOT study with Nadia Boulanger if you were an idiot. If you did, you didn't last long.

Check out the documentary Philip Glass in 12 Parts.

I claim myself to be a Philip Glass fan. He has a very clear and unique voice. You may hate it or love it. I initially did not like Philip Glass and avoided him. But, I forced myself to listen to many works from different times in his career.

Don't be afraid to challenge yourself! I'm not saying that any here does not do that on a regular basis. But, moving beyond an initial gut reaction can lead to interesting avenues of thought.

Of course, this is just an opinion. Enjoy what you will!

[Jim Ware 638]

Philip Glass is good at making arpeggios but when I listened to his violin concerto (way more traditional in style) I felt that he is not as musically well-read or talented as his colleagues (past or present).

That was one of his first pieces for full orchestra (from 1987). His ability to write for that size of ensemble has developed considerably since then.

[Kevin 23]

Check out the documentary Philip Glass in 12 Parts.

You know, that documentary could have been a lot better than it actually was. A bit shorter than the two hours (half of those 12 parts were entertaining). You get to see his marriage problems.

[crocodile 9,724]

If there is one album of Glass that I still enjoy that would be Naqoyqatsi. It is a more human version of the other two. Mostly thanks to Yo-Yo Ma.

Karol

[compos24 0]

It's interesting that you prefer Naqoyqatsi's score over the first two films. I don't agree with you, but it's sort of refreshing to hear.

I enjoy Koyaanisqatsi the most out of the three films and scores. During an empty day, I've shut the lights off and listened to the music. It has a very meditative quality to me. Nothing sinister going on... just enjoying the music!

Kudos to you for your differing opinion!

[Kevin 23]

I rate the three Qatsi scores the same.

[indy4 160]

Philip Glass is good at making arpeggios but when I listened to his violin concerto (way more traditional in style) I felt that he is not as musically well-read or talented as his colleagues (past or present).

Alex

How can you be good at "making arpeggios"? They're not really made, they just exist. That's like saying he's good at "making a B flat scale."

[Kevin 23]

[Jim Ware 638]

If there is one album of Glass that I still enjoy that would be Naqoyqatsi. It is a more human version of the other two. Mostly thanks to Yo-Yo Ma.

Karol

His Cello Concerto No.2 will be based on the music of Naqoyqatsi.

[Kevin 23]

Unfortunately I mostly have the image of his music that was used on South Park.

When?

[Omen II 1,300]

I enjoy Koyaanisqatsi the most out of the three films and scores. During an empty day, I've shut the lights off and listened to the music. It has a very meditative quality to me. Nothing sinister going on... just enjoying the music!

Agreed 100%. Some years ago (2003) I was lucky enough to see Philip Glass and his cohorts perform the music for Koyaanisqatsi live to picture. I was sat in the middle of the very back row and must admit to having had a 'liquid lunch' beforehand; to this day I am still not sure if my half cut state added to or detracted from my enjoyment, but it was certainly a memorable experience.

[Marian Schedenig 11,694]

Glass is awesome. Not always, but often.

'Minimalism' is a meaningless and irrelevant term.

Blame Nyman.

If there is one album of Glass that I still enjoy that would be Naqoyqatsi. It is a more human version of the other two. Mostly thanks to Yo-Yo Ma.

I couldn't put it above the amazing Koyaanisqatsi (special favourite: Pruit Igoe), but I adore Naqoygatsi. It manages to have a very mathematical and a very human quality at the same time. Powaqqatsi feels more uneven to me, I love the Anthem bits, but the rest doesn't stand out too much.

Special Glass recommendation: Tirol Concerto for piano and orchestra. The gorgeous middle movement has a strong similarity to Truman Sleeps.

[Jim Ware 638]

Special Glass recommendation: Tirol Concerto for piano and orchestra. The gorgeous middle movement has a strong similarity to Truman Sleeps.

YES! Many thumbs up!

I also recommend Piano Concerto No.2 - After Lewis and Clark, which is certainly a digital workout for any pianist.

Is there any love for Glass operas here?

[King Mark 3,975]

I used to like him, but got bored after 4-5 CD of his.

Karol

something like that

[Krang 1]

Apparently Mr Glass was infiltrating my mind at an early age.

[Sharkissimo 1,978]

I prefer this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHLhf7D0ZMY

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Unfortunately I mostly have the image of his music that was used on South Park.

When?

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2008/06/22/philip-glass-on-south-park/

[Thor 9,362]

Harsh, but honest pocket review of TALES FROM THE LOOP by Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan:

 

http://celluloidtunes.no/tales-from-the-loop-philip-glass-paul-leonard-morgan/

[bollemanneke 4,331]

All the Glass music I'vee heard is the most boring crap I've heard in my entire life.

[Jurassic Shark 16,430]

14 minutes ago, bollemanneke said:

All the Glass music I'vee heard is the most boring crap I've heard in my entire life.

 

Then you've only heard his boring works. Check out his score to Mishima, for starters.

[Romão 2,473]

On 2/24/2011 at 10:50 PM, Jim Ware said:

YES! Many thumbs up!

I also recommend Piano Concerto No.2 - After Lewis and Clark, which is certainly a digital workout for any pianist.

Is there any love for Glass operas here?

 

 

I adore Akhnaten. Also, Kundun is easily my favorite score of his and one of my all time favorite scores

[Jurassic Shark 16,430]

Akhnaten is cool, but the whole thing can be a bit much.

 

Regarding his piano concertos, which increased to three a few years ago, I really prefer the first.

[crocodile 9,724]

I find this Philip Glass discussion to be rather on the repetitive side. 

 

Karol

[Jurassic Shark 16,430]

If you read closely, there's minor differences.

[crocodile 9,724]

One has to make minimal effort I suppose.

 

Karol

[Jurassic Shark 16,430]

K

[ymenard 68]

Holy Bump, Thor!  The thing is, his music has changed a lot.  Nowadays it's much more classical and sorry to say, boring.  Let's be real, pretty much all his originak work in the 2010's isn't that great, perhaps even before since The Hours or Symphony No.8.  He got... old.

 

But since the Hours, there has been almost 50 albums released of previous material, it's never ending! You can have very interesting orchestration, like Harp variations of piano music or choral orchestration, etc..).  Orange Mountain Music is an awesome label.  It's impossible to say PG aways does the same thing when there is stuff like :
 

• Glassworks
• Einstein on the Beach
• Akhnaten
• Koyaanisqatsi
• Mishima
• Kundun
• Satyagraha
• Songs from Liquid Days
• Dancepieces & Dance No.1-10
• Powaqqatsi
• Solo Piano
• Itaipu / The Canyon
• the CIVIL warS
• At least half of his symphonies (ex: No.5)
• The Hours (both score and piano version)
• Etudes for Piano No.1-10
• The Voyage
• The Concerto Project Series
• The Recording Archives

[KK 3,313]

7 hours ago, Romão said:

 

 

I adore Akhnaten. Also, Kundun is easily my favorite score of his and one of my all time favorite scores

 

Akhnaten is when he got closest to nailing the opera medium and maximized its potential for storytelling, though the other two clearly have their moments. But it was never really his forte, to be honest. Kundun is brilliant.

[Jurassic Shark 16,430]

He's written many more operas, you know.