Customer Reviews

Glass: Low Symphony

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I have to say from the beginning that this is probably the best symphonic adaptation of some rock music. The secret is, I would say, in the development of the original music. Glass takes the themes of the instumental pieces form Bowie's 'Low' album and develops themes in three full symphonic pieces, not in the usual way, by simply arranging them for orchestra but also by adding more themes and musical ideas, basically rewriting them. The music is a little bit unusual for Glass, more developed, also the listening is not very demanding. The second piece seems to a better rhythm and I think is the best of the three. However, all three of them stand together and create a unified, nice piece of work.

It has neither great flaws or strengths. I have a feeling it would work better with the addition of electronic instruments. The arpeggios lack the crystalline punch offered by purer tones, resulting in a softened chewed-up sound. Perhaps if they had been played on the piano as with The Hours, the result would have been more effective?

Here are a few symphonic masterpieces to check out: Tcherepnin's 3rd (Shui), Prokofiev's 5th (Kuchar/Järvi), the first two movements of Prokofiev's 6th (Slatkin), Prokofiev's 2nd (Kuchar), Le Sacre du Printemps (Stravinsky), Rachmaninov's 1st (Slatkin), Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy and Prometheus (Maazel), Shostakovich's 15th (Slovák), Messiaen's Turangalīla, Dvorak's 4th, 8th. and 9th, Mahler #10 (1st movement). If you like the arpeggios with the sweeping strings in the first half of Subterraneans, listen to Rautavaara's Cantus Arcticus where quite similar music has greater impact. Around 8 minutes in, I'm reminded of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, but again the latter is more effective.

And, as for Glass, I think his "The Hours" soundtrack is outstanding. The only defect in that piece is that some of the ideas progress too quickly -- the opposite is the case here. Even though it's called a soundtrack it makes for much more effective listening by itself than this "symphony" does. Prophecies, Facades, Company... there is better Glass out there. The London Symphony did well with the latter two, which does demonstrate some of his music at least does translate into the unplugged symphonic realm.

And, I'm really not certain that this performance is as good as it could be.

This is the best adaptive piece i have ever heard. The incredibly melancholic and serious tone of the original album is reinterpreted through orchestral movements which lend a new tone of urgency to this already emotionally charged masterpiece. It is a must for music lovers.

This is one of his best works overall. Something everyone who worked on it should be proud of. Sound quality is great. A good one for long trips in the morning.

Although Bowie and Eno form the 'start point' for this album, Glass (as he explains in his notes) uses this as a point from which to develop ideas of his own, which gradually cohere into a complete symphonic movement. Although there are clear echoes of Bowie/Eno, this is very much a classical piece, with Glass' trademark pulsing, driving rhythmns, and slow, rolling melodies. Rich, relaxing stuff, well performed and recorded. Just not exceptional enough to deserve the full five stars. Well worth acquiring if you enjoy Glass.

I found this CD to be absolutely compelling listening, with a hypnotic quality. I just could not switch it off. I am not a Bowie fan and had no previous knowledge of Eno. The first time I heard Glass on ABC radio, it went until about 2.00 in the morning. I had to stay up listening. Then I went on a search to buy the CD which had to be ordered from interstate. The orchestration is tight, the beat leads you on a journey of enjoyment. Unique stuff. I am now a seriosuly addicted Glass fan (I did not give it 5 stars because I never give full marks.)

I own many tens of thousands of songs. But invariably I listen to the Low Symphony every day just as I have done for years. It is a brilliant strike of creative lightening.