Philip Glass : Early Voice [IMPORT]

Philip Glass; Mabou Mines; Western Wind (Artist), Philip Glass (Composer), Michael Riesman (Conductor), Western Wind Vocal Ensemble (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Western Wind Vocal Ensemble
• Conductor: Michael Riesman
• Composer: Philip Glass
• Audio CD (April 8, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Orange Mountain
• ASIN: B0000640C1
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,545 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the late 1960's and early 1970's Philip Glass emerged as one of the leading architects of a music termed "minimalist". During this period Glass and his ensemble performed in art galleries and loft spaces in the artist's neighborhood that became known as SoHo. It is now evident the influences of the music and art of that time were deeply felt by many.

The two selections found on the "Early Voice" CD are "Music for Voices", written in 1970 and "Another Look at Harmony, Part 4" written in 1970-1974. The fine live performance of "Music for Voices", recorded by Kurt Munkacsi at the Paula Cooper Art Gallery in 1972 is one of the earlier recordings from the archive of Philip Glass material. The repeating patterns of "Music for Voices" are assembled into a score that divides the performers into pairs and in this performance eight singers sat in a circle facing inwards. Each singer's part raises and lowers in volume in a regular pattern, and the entry of each voice is timed to coincide with the dynamic peak of its partner. The use of solfege as text for the unaccompanied vocal parts is a hint as to what is coming in "Music in 12 Parts" and the groundbreaking "Einstein on the Beach".

The other piece on the disk is a 1989 recording produced by Michael Riesman of the transitional "Another Look at Harmony, Part 4". This piece is scored for chorus and electric organ. The organ is played by Riesman and the vocals are skillfully handled by the Western Wind. Referring to "Music in Twelve Parts", Philip Glass stated, "I had worked 8 or 9 years creating a system, and now I'd written through it and come out the other end. My next piece was called "Another Look at Harmony" and that's just what it was. I'd taken everything out with my early works and it was now time to decide what I wanted to put back in." This piece marks the arrival of harmonic motion but is not a departure from the structural concerns and rhythmic intricacy of Glass' earlier work

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Early Voice" Speaks to All Fans of Philip Glass's Music, April 30, 2002

By	Mark Walther (Wheaton, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

2001 was a historic year for everyone who appreciates the music of Philip Glass. The Orange Mountain Music (OMM) record label was born out of project undertaken by Kurt Munkacsi and Don Christensen to archive all the master recordings of Philip Glass. OMM's mission is to share these recordings with those who appreciate Mr. Glass's music. OMM's first release was one of the "Holy Grails" of Glass soundtrack music, "The Music of Candyman". Now, less than ONE year later, OMM's second release "Early Voice" is now available. Yes, my friends, in the span of less than one year, we have been given two wonderful CDs of new, 110% pure Glass music!

"Early Voice" contains two incredible recordings illustrating Mr. Glass's "early musical voice" from the 1970's - "Music for Voices" and "Another Look at Harmony, Part 4". For an excellent history regarding these two works, please take a moment to read the information on the recording posted here at Amazon.com - First, the CD notes written by OMM's Don Christensen, ....

... "Music for Voices" is the first release of a live recording of Mr. Glass's music. Considering that the recording is close to 30 years old, the sound quality is remarkable, clear and crisp. Special thanks needs to go to Kurt Munkacsi (who originally recorded this work in 1972) and Don Christensen for their care, preservation, and restoration of this historical masterpiece. Hearing this work for the first time was an absolute amazing experience. Just imagine, the soothing voices of Mabou Mines fading in and out of each other with slowly changing patterns conducted by Mr. Glass - by clapping his hands to signal a change in the music. Minus the Latin language, I found myself comparing this to a Gregorian chant in terms of the musical effect of being soothing, calm, and beautiful.

"Another Look at Harmony, Part 4" is a breathtaking music experience of rich and dynamic harmonic music for chorus and organ. Another "early voice" of Mr. Glass, the Western Wind Chorus and Michael Reisman (on organ) perform this work brilliantly. One should note that The Western Wind Chorus are the "voices" of Koyaanisqatsi. In addition, if one looks at the credits, "The Voice" of The QATSI Trilogy, the immortal bass voice of Mr. Albert deRuither also performs on this recording. The organ and chorus work together to weave musical patterns and harmonies that I find absolutely beautiful to listen to. For a few brief moments in the piece, the chorus stops and the organ has a solo to set up the next part of the work. The piece lasts for about 50 minutes, but you just don't want it to end!

One will not be disappointed with "Early Voice". What ever scale you use, I give "Early Voice" it's highest rating.

The more support we give Orange Mountain Music, the more they are able to share more music with us. So, tell your friends, tell your relatives, tell your neighbors that "Early Voice" is available right now on Amazon.com!!!

Thanks to Mr. Glass, Kurt Munkacsi, Don Christensen, and everyone at Orange Mountain Music and Euphorbia Productions for sharing this wonderful recording with us.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Hardcore Fans!!, January 10, 2003

By	Kevin Currie-Knight "PhD Student in Education" (Newark, Delaware) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

It is strange indeed; between the two pieces on this excellent CD, this music sounds both unlike anything I've heard from Glass, and completely in-line with Glass's early style. Let me explain.

The first piece -"Music for Voices"- starts out as a slow drone of a fifth and gradually adds new tones, each (in pairs) rising and falling in volume. After all the voices are integrated, a rythmic pattern becomes discernable while continuing to oscillate volume between pairs. With audible hand claps, Glass directs changing rythmic patterns to the group untill it ends. This pieces is by far the least Glass-like composition I've heard; another reviewer mentioned that it sounds more like Steve Riech's work and I agree. While suprisingly engaging, the rawness of the recording and all-too-static feel work against the piece.

Now to the good stuff - great stuff!! "Another Look at Harmony - part IV", unlike "MFV" can not be reduced to a process. If you liked Music in Twelve Parts and Einstein on the Beach, you will be in awe of this. In fact, it's not an ensemble recording. Via organ, Michael Riesman leads a chorus or voices through a fifty minute tour de force of brilliant vocal writing. Honestly, this is one of the best Glass compositions I've ever heard. In fact, I'm suprised that Glass, being one to rewrite old music for new purposes, did not use some of this in the "Vessels" sequence for Koyaanisqatsi. It is quite similar, while being just as grande as "The Grid". While there are no track breaks, like Music for Changing Parts, this monster is divided into three (maybe four, depending on how you count) distinct sections all varying harmonically. Still, I had to deduct half a star because the four subsections make track breaks that much more sensical.

To conclude, if you like early Glass (anything from "Contrary Motion" to "Einstein") don't even debate on whether to get this disc. Trust me, you'll love it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Especially THIS one, October 22, 2002

By	Jeff Abell (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Unlike some of the other reviewers, who seem to be die-hard fans of Phil Glass, I remain guarded about most of the work he's written since Einstein on the Beach in 1976. I remain enthusiastic about his early work, however, and this CD contains a very important work, Another Look at Harmony, in essence an extended study for Einstein, which remains Glass's greatest achievement in my estimation. So amid the clamour of his many ardent admirers, who think anything with the name Philip Glass is the greatest music ever, listen to a sceptic when he tells you that THIS CD is actually worth listening to: compelling, inventive, rhythmically vital, and composed before Glass turned himself into a commodity. Early Voice is well worth your time and money, unlike a sizeable number of other works by this composer.