Customer Reviews

Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony/Bizarro

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The music of Michael Daugherty is deeply rooted in the American psyche because of his focus on pop culture. In an analogous way to the pop art style of some modern visual arts, Daugherty uses familiar motifs and patterns to create soundscapes that are quite evocative.

Some of his critics claim that portions of his music are 'trite' or 'cliches', but this is precisely the point with pop art. Daugherty is able to create beauty from new use of the mundane.

While not everyone will enjoy Metropolis, it is an emminent work in the sense of connections between movements in visual art and music. Just as Schoenburg reflects Kandinsky, Cage reflects Pollak, and Stravinsky reflects Picasso, so does Daugherty reflect Lichtenstein.

Michael Daughtery's METROPOLIS SYMPHONY is a fitting tribute to the American mythology of the Superman story. He creates an environment of imagination and even suspense starting with the oddly spinning "Lex" which pulls us along with it, trying to keep up with the orchestra trying to keep up with its violin virtuoso. Other movments include "Krypton", a dirge-like piece complete with funeral bells, "Mxyzptlk", a somewhat mystical and confused musical metaphor for the imp from the 5th dimension, "Oh Lois", which is a little campy and gives the feeling of the damsel in constant distress relying on her hero.
The symphony itself ends in the dramatic fight to the death of Superman and Doomsday in "Red Cape Tango". There is also another piece Daughtery composed with the Superman folklore legend in mind called "Bizarro". It is strange, awkward, amusing, and potentially dangerous, just like it's supposed to be, forging off with superpower going...well,somewhere. All music makes full use of a fully structured orchestra tightly conducted by David Zinman. A great ride.

I bought this cd on a whim after performing one of Daugherty's more recent compositions for band, Niagara Falls. I found the first and last movements of the the symphony to be incredible. One thing that Daugherty manages to do is to keep the listner interested. The second, third, and fourth movements lack the interest and excitement contained in the first and last movements, but that is not enough to change my opinion on this particular work. I feel that Bizarro is also a quality work. The thing that I like about Daugherty is that he is not afraid to fuse rock and roll with contemporary music with jazz. It turns out to be one of the most interesting cd's I own.

Regarding Superman, an international fictional heroic symbol and as staple youth entertainment, I have many fond memories that go way back into my childhood.

I first saw "Superman I" in Taiwan, at age six in a premier metropolitan theater along with my grandmother. That night was special: I got "so totally psyched" when grandma said, "I'm taking you to see 'Superman' tonight." An experience like this, especially since I was seeing the debut production of what later became an entire series of exciting sequels (something you don't predict off-hand), was the ultimate "coolness" for a young boy. Nowadays, seeing "Superman" movies not only throws me back to that nostalgic evening with grandma, but also I'm driven to praise its legendary creator. No other "branded" American comic hero holds to Superman's household recognition, time-tested.

I have heard Michael Daugherty's "Metropolis Symphony" (A.K.A. "Superman Symphony") both live and on CD. Throughout my hearings, I feel totally confused with Daugherty's compositional reference, intent, structure, and relation to the superhero's basic philosophy. Superman is not just about rough gong crashes, ostinados, triple-forte brass, booms, groans, and relentless percussion. Instead, Superman's character is supra humanistic, largely romantic, subtly passionate, and even self-effacing. On the flip side, Daugherty does maintain musical success in capturing the movie's surface excitement. But compared to my first stimulus, the feelings are worlds apart. Thank goodness Lois wasn't overused as theme for "post-modern decomposition" (Daugherty's own quote), for that "she's too sexy for my shirt" (R&B song lyrics).

Michael Daugherty's music seems to spark primarily extreme reactions: it's either detested or adored. I'm in the latter category.

"Metropolis Symphony" is one of the most complex and rigorously structured orchestral scores of the last twenty years. I performed the fifth movement last spring; at every rehearsal I was amazed at how well it was put together, and how thoroughly the material was developed. Hardly characteristics you'd expect from a "trite" composition!

I highly recommend "Metropolis Symphony". The zaniness, the relentless energy, and the strong elements of popular music make this an excellent first choice for fans of classical music trying to inch their way into the music of 20th- and 21st-century composers, or for fans of popular music trying to inch their way into classical music, or for anybody willing to try something new.

(I might add that it's a refreshing break for those of us who are tired of hearing and performing nothing but 19th-century Romantic music on orchestra concerts..)

Don't be afraid!

In a work that (in my humble opinion) truly captures the spirit of a subject such as the famous Superman, Daugherty utilizes amazingly innovative ways to capture the listener. With predominant percussion throughout, and an wicked violin solo in the movement "Lex", not to mention a superb orchestra behind it, Daugherty paints the perfect picture of the adventures of an everlasting hero. As an aspiring musician myself, I hold Metropolis Symphony to be one of my personal favorites of all time. Enjoy!

The other day I was browsing the music section of a large brick & mortar, and I found the new (2009) recording of Daugherty's 'Metropolis Symphony'. I bought it and gave it a listen. Although I appreciate the fact that this (fairly obscure) work of postmodern American classical music has been re-recorded, I'm not in love with the 2009 recording.

The newer CD is the Nashville Symphony conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero. It's fair to say Nashville is no Chicago, and Guerrero is no Solti. The sound quality, and indeed some of the performance, especially from the wind players, leave something to be desired in the 2009 recording.

Therefore, I am quite confident in calling the 1996 Argo pressing of 'Metropolis' featuring the Baltimore Symphony with Zinman the superior effort. Indeed, Zinman's is the definitive recording of 'Metropolis'. I find Baltimore's woodwind and brass playing superior to the efforts of Nashville. Baltimore as a whole plays more confidently, deftly handling Daugherty's complicated meters/rhythms, especially in the fifth movement, which is a major stumbling block for the Nashville players.

So in closing, for those who are choosing between the two recordings, my recommendation is to choose the Balt/Zinman. Superior sound quality, better playing from the musicians. It's better all around.

I came across this disk the other day, and remembered that I'd listened to it once, then put it aside. WHY, I couldn't remember. So I listened to it again. The answer was -- it's pretty bad music.

Most of its five movements take moderately interesting ideas, then beat them to death with tedious repetition. Mr Daugherty has apparently never heard of the principle of "development" -- that one of the things that makes music interesting is that it starts somewhere, goes somewhere, and ends somewhere.

I have no objection to a "Superman symphony" -- composers have based works on less-worthy topics. It's just that I'd prefer to listen to something that doesn't make you feel as if you've been beaten about the head for a half hour. Most of Schoenberg's atonal music is more-appealing and entertaining. Really.

If you think hearing metal trash cans being banged around is fun, you'll probably like this.

I bought this to find out what the orchestra I play in was getting into for a concert last spring. What a great piece of music! Fun to play, fun to listen to. I was a little discouraged to discover that his "Dead Elvis" (from another CD) was VERY close to "Red Cape Tango," but all-in-all, it's still full of interesting ostinati and fun little hooks.

I'd love to see Bizarro done on a marching band field, but I know it'll never happen. There's a great interplay in the piece between the horns and percussion that I just scan back and play, scan back and play, scan back and play...

I just bought this recording, as my high school marching band will be playing selections from the Metropolis Symphony in our show this year. At first, I was surprised at HOW contemporary it was. I was expecting something a bit more majestic and hero-like than what I was hearing. However, I was not disappointed. The more I listened, the more I understood and liked. You simply have to let it paint and create images in your mind. That is when it becomes a successful work. -Let it take you away.