Philip Glass

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 8 Apr 2009 8:56 pm

quoted in "Glass: A portrait of Philip in twelve parts", a film by Scott Hicks shown on TV tonight:

Philip Glass is to music as "See Spot run" is to literature.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 9 Apr 2009 4:26 am

I can relate to Phillip Glass. I used to play like that in 1968, but, I can't play like that anymore because, I don't have a piano.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 9 Apr 2009 7:40 am

Larry Miller wrote:I can relate to Phillip Glass. I used to play like that in 1968,

Were you born in 1965?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 9 Apr 2009 7:53 am

I saw Einstein on the Beach back in 1983/84 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. 5 hours long and no breaks and I was pretty much enthralled the entire time. the only painful moment was a long sequence where this neon light was slowly raised to the ceiling in a dark room. It was physically painful to watch, I had an incredible headache until the light disappeared. Always loved Glassworks and the pieces they use for the New York city ballet. Loved most of his movie soundtrack work.

My favorite out of that whole group of "minimalists" though (Steve Reich, Glass, Terry) was and is John Adams who I think solved the problem of the minimalists by introducing sweeping melody into the mix.

Reich's Music for 18 Musicians though, continues to be a favorite of mine.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 9 Apr 2009 8:12 am

Earnest Bovine wrote

Were you born in 1965?

No sir, 1952, but I started taking piano lessons in 1968.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 9 Apr 2009 9:33 am

I am almost certain Glass wrote the coda to "After The Thrill Is Gone" by the Eagles. If not, whomever did write it, certainly captured the essence of Glass.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 9 Apr 2009 9:52 am

Earnest,
Have you checked out Arvo Part ? I love his music. My favorite of the minimalists.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 9 Apr 2009 10:00 am

Glass' soundtrack worked well for Koyanisqatsi. And his stuff is not bad as background music for house cleaning, if you are in the mood. And it could be good background for a few minutes at a stoner party, or for late night sex. But to just sit and listen to - not so much. Would you rather hear Way to Survive on a loop? How 'bout Taylor Swift on a loop? How 'bout a radio stuck on a rap station?

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 9 Apr 2009 10:01 am

Reich's Music for 18 Musicians though, continues to be a favorite of mine.

He thinks Desert Music is his best. I think that Music for 18 Musicians is his masterpiece.

I saw Einstein on the Beach back in 1983/84 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Phillip Glass, Phillip Glass, once reviewed as the best thing since Czerny. I got to meet him, way back, and saw Einstein, which I loved, as well as a couple other things. Michael Reisman, on keys, was a machine.

My favorite out of that whole group of "minimalists" though (Steve Reich, Glass, Terry) was and is John Adams who I think solved the problem of the minimalists by introducing sweeping melody into the mix.

And LaMonte Young. Steve Reich, is my favorite. I'm not as keen on John Adams, but doing "audience friendly" music did wonders for his career, as well as having a good publicist.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 9 Apr 2009 11:34 am

Arvo Part is great. Thanks for mentioning him. I probably have every piece of his ever recorded. I first got into him probably 20 years ago when I heard a live performance of Tabla Rasa and was mesmerized.

as far as listening to Glass, I would personally disagree. I listen to Einstein now and again and the Egytian Opera ( I forget the name) used to be one of my favorites. I used to put on Glass works all the time. but it is a personal thing, not for everyone I agree.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 9 Apr 2009 11:36 am

Not sure I would call Nixon In China audience friendly, although certainly a masterpiece.