Glass: Low Symphony

Philip Glass (Composer), David Bowie (Composer), Brian Eno (Composer), Dennis Russell Davies (Conductor), Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies
• Composer: Philip Glass, David Bowie, Brian Eno
• Audio CD (February 16, 1993)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000040US
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,674 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Dance & DJ > Techno > Minimal Techno
  • #42 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
  • #47 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Symphonies

Editorial Reviews

This CD is an out of print collectible! It is the 1993 Point Music release. Music composed by Philip Glass from the music of David Bowie and Brian Eno. Catalog 438-150-2. There is a hole punch through the UPC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Highs of Low, July 26, 2004

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Glass: Low Symphony (Audio CD)

This is one of the very rare adaptations of rock themes to not be an embarrassment to its source or to its appropriator. I say this as someone who frequently finds himself choking on symphonic "tributes" and the like that have cluttered record bins. You know the sort of CD I am talking about. Symphonic tributes to Pink Floyd, Queen, Alan Parsons, The Moody Blues...all sounding saccharine and cloying, all disposable after about two days.

Not so with Philip Glass and "The Low Symphony." While Glass took a few of the main themes from Bowie/Eno's album and then building them with themes of his own, Glass structured the three movements of his first-ever symphony with hypnotic grace. You'll recognize the subtle points of Bowie's work (especially in "Warszawa"), but you'll also find yourself being mesmerized by the way Glass captured them in his own inimitable fashion.

Back in 1993, while I was writing for a broadcasting trade paper, I rated "The Low Symphony" as one of my Top Ten Records of that year. It sat in the list alongside of Sting's "Ten Summoner's Tales," Elvis Costello's "The Juliet Letters," John Hiatt's "Perfectly Good Guitar" and "Spilt Milk" by Jellyfish. I still find myself reaching for this CD in the moments when I need calm. It remains that influential for me.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical Beauty, Rhythmic Grace, January 26, 2001

By 

Daniel R. Greenfield "Dan" (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Glass: Low Symphony (Audio CD)

This is a wonderfully fresh work, filled with lyrical and rhythmic grace and beauty. You will not find a single note of angst here. It is light, airy, and at times gently serious, but it never takes itself too seriously. It strikes a delicate balance between being serious modern music and music meant for pure pleasure. It is a truly enjoyable experience to listen to this symphony. This album can serve as an excellent introduction to Glass's work, and also a gentle way to inspire someone's interest in exploring more serious modern works.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Melodic and familiar, surprisingly so, October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Glass: Low Symphony (Audio CD)

As an avid Brian Eno and David Bowie Fan, and being only marginally aware of Philip Glass as a contemporary composer, I was surprised by this recording. I expected the basic melodies to be either missing, obscured, or altered beyond recognition. I was wrong. The originals are easily recognizable in Glass' composition. In fact, while it was lovely to hear full orchestral arrangements of the compelling Eno/Bowie melodies, by the end of the Symphony, I found that I wanted Glass to take more liberties. Regardless, this is a fine recording.