Customer Reviews

Minimalist

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I know people get all upset about this sort of thing, but petty politics aside: 'Minimalist' is a great record. There is much more than simple repetition going on in this music and most of these compositions stand up as significant additions to the 20th century repertoire. Steve Reich's "Eight Lines" in particular is a must-have. The only mistake here is the Dave Heath work, which misses the boat entirely. Billed in the liner notes as England's answer to this largely American movement, Heath ends up writing a soundtrack to a rather silly, unidentified action movie rather than a minimalist composition. Otherwise, John Adams' "Shaker Loops" is sometimes chilling, sometimes exhilarating, and Philip Glass' "Facades" and "Company" are a nice introduction to his work...which has often become a parody of itself and been drowned in silly synthesizer sounds. Here it is perfect and clean, without becoming detatched and inhuman. In fact, despite claims to that effect, this music is often far more moving than your average late 19th century work of romantic drivel. Dive in- and at this price, you really can't go wrong.

This is one of the better cds with minimalist music that I have hears, and much of that is due to the inspired job done by the London Concert Orchestra under Christopher Warren-Green. The intensity with which the group takes on all of these pieces is palpable throughout the disc, especially during the "Shaker Loops," one of Adams' crowning achievements (in my humble opinion), and raises the level of tension and excitement to new heights. The performance is indeed unparalleled, and received Adams' seal of approval.

The renditions of both Glass and Reich (in particular) are also excellent, with Reich's "Eight Lines" being a particularly staisfying listen. As another reviewer noted, the inclusion of Heath's work in relation to the others here is questionsbale, but the other pieces more than make up for this faux pas.

For the price, this cd is a bargain and well worth having in any collection. Search it out for the inspired performances by the London Concert orchestra, and keep on listening to it. Like fine wine, it ages wonderfully.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not) tiny compilation of minimalist pieces, including the over-used 'Facades' by Philip Glass, and the lengthy 'Shaker Loops' by John Adams. Just as an observation, this might also have been called 'Minima' or 'M' or just 'dot'.