Metamorphoses [SOUNDTRACK]

Judy Stony (Performer), Sara Wollan (Performer), Willy Schwarz (Composer), Willy / Bodeen, Michael Schwarz (Composer), Willy / Bodeen, Michael / Sturm, Miriam Schwarz (Composer), Michael Bodeen (Performer), Doug Brush (Performer), Willy Schwarz (Performer), Miriam Sturm (Performer), Edgar Gabriel (Performer), Thomas Yang (Performer), Sharon Jan Bernstein (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Judy Stony, Sara Wollan, Michael Bodeen, Doug Brush, Willy Schwarz, et al.
• Composer: Willy Schwarz, Willy / Bodeen, Michael Schwarz, Willy / Bodeen, Michael / Sturm, Miriam Schwarz
• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Knitting Factory
• ASIN: B000066JGT
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,635 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Willy Schwarz came into public view primarily through his work with Tom Waits, playing an assortment of instruments. In the '90s, while based in Chicago, Schwarz created a range of scores and compositions for that city's rich theater scene. Metamorphoses offers music by Schwarz for the Tony Award-nominated play of the same name, directed by Mary Zimmerman, as well as music for two other plays she directed, The Odyssey and The Baltimore Waltz. The moods and textures vary, taking their cues from around the world and deep into ancient history. There are pieces evoking ancient Rome and others that call forth 19th and 20th century European cabaret traditions. What it all has in common is a deft use of familiar and exotic instruments. For the most part, eschewing synthesized near-equivalents, Schwarz celebrates the resonant life of real instruments and their shimmering tonalities. From simple solo violin passages (as in "Orpheus Turns") to accordion and bell duets ("Separation"), this all springs to dramatic life. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three in one!, July 6, 2002

By	Edward Juan "ghost" (Valencia, CA. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a fan of Willy Schwarz then you'll love this recording. It not only plays the music from the play Metamorphoses, it also includes the other two recordings by Willy Schwarz: The Odyssey, The Baltimore Waltz.
Personally, I have no seen the play yet, but overall the music is very well recorded and produced. So you don't have to be a Willy Schwarz or Metamorphoses fan to buy the CD.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've seen all three, August 22, 2002

By	KarenandJack (Southboro, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I'm from Chicago and have seen all three of the plays whose music is featured on this cd. Mary Zimmerman is a genius. Minds like hers just don't come around very often. The Baltimore Waltz was the first of hers that I saw. The song "Travelogue" was my favorite scene and Willy Schwarz's music captured it perfectly. The Odyssey was one of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen. Many of the Metamorphoses cast members were in that show. My favorite Chicago actress...who also was in Metamorphoses for a while...Mariann Mayberry, played Athena, so "Athena theme" is my favorite. Metamorphoses is amazing. I saw the show years ago in Chicago and have now seen it on Broadway twice. My favorite song has to be "Metamorphoses," but "Alcyon and Ceyx" is very close, being my favorite myth of all time and having had Louise Lamson in the scene. Willy Schwarz captures Ms. Zimmerman's shows perfectly. There is no one better for the types of shows she puts on. Truly a blessing of an album.