Glassworks (Sony Classical, 1982)
“Glassworks” by Philip Glass is the representative composition and release of Glass and one of masterpiece of Minimal Music. A six parts suit and each part is consist of different formations.
“I. Opening” is sorrowful and apathetic minimal piano solo piece, adopts repetitions of arpeggio phrases and their development.
“II. Floe” is very minimal song by repetitions of each phrases by each instrument of the ensemble (2 flutes, 2 soprano saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, 2 horns and synthesizer). The simply play with syncing by all instruments, but it appears swinging and modulated sound patterns.
“III. Island” is a slow calm and melancholic song by brasses and wind instruments. Each instrument play minimal phrases and tones, make a sound structure.
“IV. Rubric” is the dynamic variation of Part II. Electric bass added, and the tempo is higher (around 125) and each play more dynamic and there many chord changes and key changes. Very refreshing and Rock taste Minimal Music.
“V. Façades” Glass’s iconic taste melancholic and Classical and Minimal Music composition. It begins with minimal arpeggio phrases by cello and viola. Soprano saxophone solo follows. Then the soprano saxophone and another one play riffs and play solos.
“VI. Closing” is the variation of “Part I” played by piano, strings and wind instruments.
There are full of Glass’s Minimal and Classical taste and simple and easy to understand Minimal Music, and it’s Pop-Avantgarde Music for wide range of music lovers.
Solo Piano (CBS, 1989)
“Solo Piano” by Philip Glass is the first piano solo album of him and composed and played by himself.
“Metamorphoses” is the 5 song piano solo suit is inspired by Franz Kafka’s same title novel.
“Part 1” is left hand simple arpeggio based very minimal and melancholic song. Right hand touches are few and play fragmental notes and chord backings only.
“Part 2” is a sorrowful and sentimental song. It’s consist of left hand arpeggios and right hand melodies. But I get the feel of a little hope by upward melodies.
“Part 3” is very minimal left hand arpeggio and right hand chord backing plain song. It progresses the same pattern, and chord and key changes.
“Part 4” is a wonderful and mystic mood composition. Also it’s consist of left hand arpeggio and right hand chord backing.
“Part 5” is the variation of “Part 1” of little different arrangement.
This suit is a standard and representative work of Philip Glass and Minimal Music.
“Mad Rush” is a very minimal song, is consist of only both hand arpeggios. The touches of piano become stranger and weaker then it changes the notes of arpeggios. There’s Romantic Music taste but piano plays only arpeggios.
“Wichita Vortex Sutra” is bright and brave song is only left hand, right hand or both hands arpeggios and chord backings.
Resources and Links
Philip Glass Ensemble (official site)
