Glass: Low Symphony

Philip Glass (Artist), David Bowie (Artist), Brian Eno (Artist)

Product Details

• 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: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,193 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Glass finds inspiration for his music in the strangest places. Here, he has taken his themes for the Low Symphony from the music of David Bowie and Brian Eno, specifically from their album entitled Low. You needn't be familiar with (or like) the work of Bowie or Eno to appreciate this piece, which is in three movements: Subterrraneans, Some Are, and Warszawa. Glass doesn't quote the borrowed themes directly, but lets them generate their own variations- -which he's very good at. This is an unexpected success and a grand delight. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 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 500 REVIEWER)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Daniel R. Grünfeld "Daniel" (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.