Philip Glass: Symphony No. 9

Philip Glass has written many works of art but this specific one is very unique and has chords that are not normally heard. His Symphony No. 9 is amazing, there was not a second guess when I wanted to purchase this. A wonderful piece of music that Philip Glass has written.

This is obviously the Ninth Symphony by the composer, who has a unique style. He uses repetitive elements to express concepts. Over time, at least to me, Glass sounds more and more consistent with the Romantic Symphony tradition. His style is unique. There is no one quite like him in all of classical music. The three movement symphony alternates with portions that drive forward with great intensity and quiet portions that show a depth of feeling and expression. The Trumpet theme in the second movement is one of the best themes composed by an American composer since Gershwin and Copland lived. There is a subtlety in the music that can only be absorbed with several hearings. Some people compare Glass to Bruckner because both use repetitive elements to build up to giant crescendos. Glass is very different than Bruckner, but, I am confident that Bruckner would be proud of Philip Glass, his worthy successor in the classical music world. There is no composer writing today in America who has written 9 symphonies of the quality of those composed by Philip Glass. Is he Beethoven? No. But he is by far the best living composer of symphonies in America and perhaps the world. This music deserves to be heard and deserves a Grammy award for best original classical music composition. The performance is first rate.

Great album, love his work. Problem: on recent purchase first track dosen't play completely and passes to next track. First difficulty of this kind.

Music this exquisite is why this art should be taught to every child in every school in every country all over the world. Glass' work still has a depth and meaning that I have never been able to explain, his work amazes me still. Thank you Maestro Glass.

There are of course Glass lovers and Glass hatas, and I keep finding myself falling between the cracks. I loved and still love his early works. But it's undeniable that over the decades he has cranked out acres and acres of musical wallpaper, with only the occasional piece having enough of a distinctive personality to hold your attention. Unless, of course, you're one of those listeners who don't mind that he's repeating himself, because you like the wallpaper pattern so much. And that's fine. I think it's silly to bash his fans for liking his stuff. That said, he's never grabbed me with his symphonies, which sometimes verge on kitsch (the much-loved No .3) and more often, like this one, are nice, pretty, meditative background music, but not really what you'd call true symphonies -- they're more like scores for movies that never got made. That's fine too if you don't mind. But after listening to this I went back to some of the early stuff, which was truly exciting in its day and still sounds fresher and more interesting today. I have heard Einstein, sir, and this is no Einstein.

Minimalism, and its prominent composers such a Philip Glass and Steve Reich, often receive a lot of negative attention. Indeed, many more-traditional musicians and listeners shun the style. Some say it is boring because of its constant repetition of musical ideas. Some say it lacks creativity for the same reason. However, the style certainly has its merits. I personally value it because of its embrace of those musical ideas which so many detractors argue warrants their condescension. What minimalism does so well that defines it and separates it as its own individual musical style is live in the musical moment. It strips music down to the barest forms of its essential elements: theme, harmony, rhythm, texture, etc. Though this baring of the musical language is what turns many against minimalism, it is what I love most about it. Yes, Glass' symphonies may not have the dramatic development, contrast, or complexity of Mahler's or Mozart's. What Glass' music does instead to make up for that is present a series of pure musical ideas, highlighting concepts of harmony, rhythmic counterpoint, motif, and orchestration, in a way that allows the listener to fully soak in the musical language. So it is less of a reduction of the musical language and more of a reveling in it. In the music of Mozart or Bach, a harmonic idea, a rhythmic figure, may pass once, fleetingly, into one's ear, and then it is gone. Glass embraces the nuances of the musical language. With this Ninth Symphony especially, he elevates the most basic and visceral musical experiences to the grandest of emotional heights through feats of brilliant orchestration, motivic counterpoint and harmonic construction. His musical ideas are woven into what is actually a pretty dramatic musical landscape that morphs throughout the piece from beginning to end. Each movement is its own journey. One is flown over gaping chasms and turned inwards towards the most intimate shining of the human soul. Darkness and light clash back and forth as orchestral color vivifies every segment of music. The more I listen to Philip Glass, the more I enjoy him, no matter how many lightning-paced arpeggios he gets away with. Indeed, this new symphony of his sealed the deal on my appreciation for his artistry. What he does is takes some of the simplest of musical constructs and magnifies them so we may feel completely and ecstatically the experience that each idea has to offer. If there was ever a piece to immerse one's self in to simply feel the power of raw musical experience, it is this one. If you are a fan of Glass, this is a must-have. If you are not a fan of Philip Glass or his music . . . this piece just might be what you have been waiting for.

Saw this performed last night by the LA Phil and loved it. It's the first time in 5 years of being a season ticket holder that I came home after a concert and purchased the piece on iTunes.

I saw this piece performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall last night (Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams conducting) and LOVED it. Walked right into the store after the concert to buy this recording. Listened to it tonight -- and.... Ive long since learne never to expect recordings to live up to the warm sound of the hall - but, jeeze. Movement III woodwinds are AWFUL. As a former woodwind player myself, I cringed -- nasally, bright, shrill and nasty (not at all as I heard that section last night!) - sounded amateur. Was distracting and really took me out of the music. Shame. Good thing it appears the LA Phil recorded the concert for release here in iTunes... Options.

Probably my new favorite work by Glass. Packed with emotional, sweeping moments with perfect timing. Turn the volume up and blast this one :)

Glass creates a powerful steamroller in movement one, a fantasy dance in movement two bookended by incredible sentimentality, and a rousing finish in movement three.