# Composer Phillip Glass: Recommend something that will blow me away **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893 "2005-09-28T18:45:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/1 "2005-09-28T18:45:57Z")
I recently heard a snippet from a Phillip Glass composition and really liked it, but didn’t hear what it was. Fact is, I’m a newbie in the Glass camp. Encarta says Glass’ work is influenced by the meanderings of sitarist Ravi Shankar, which concerns me, cause I’m no Ravi fanboy. I’m also wondering just how “repetitive” Glass’ compositions really are, after seeing “repetitive” in an Encarta biography on Glass. I’m looking for something that will blow me away. Would you suggest a soundtrack, a symphony, or what? ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/2 "2005-09-28T18:53:35Z")
Not a PG fan, but I was very impressed with his score to Errol Morris’ documentary _The Thin Blue Line_. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/3 "2005-09-28T18:57:48Z")
Well, I really like his film score for \*\*[Candyman\*\*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005QFLQ/qid=1127934394/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-7957596-8056660?v=glance&s=music), though it’s not as well-known as his (also good) scores for _Koyaanisqatsi, Kundun_ or _The Thin Blue Line_. I also like [this album](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005J35/qid=1127934562/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-7957596-8056660?v=glance&s=classical) by the Kronos Quartet of some Glass string quartets. Please note for this thread: If you don’t like Glass, we get it. Fine. These recommendations aren’t going to change your mind if you already find him repetitive/insufferable/boring, etc. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/4 "2005-09-28T19:09:57Z")
Try “1000 Airplanes on the Roof” Yes, it is repetitive, but in a good way. You might also find “Songs From Liquid Days” Accessable a series of collaborations with Paul Simon, David Byrne, Linda Rondstadt, The Roches and others ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/5 "2005-09-28T19:35:34Z")
If you want to experience “minimalist” music at its finest - the genre Philip Glass is known for - I would recommend: - Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich - Tabula Rasa by Arvo Part Both are truly beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/6 "2005-09-28T19:52:39Z")
I’d recomend [Akhnaten](http://www.glasspages.org/akhnaten.html) as it forms a more traditional structure than some other works by Glass. It also has one of the strangest male voices as the lead character. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/7 "2005-09-28T20:26:15Z")
I’d recommend his orchestral works based on Bowie’s {OK, Bowie and Eno’s} **Low** and **Heroes** albums: I think they were originally concieved as ballet scores, and they work beautifully, especially since half of each of the original albums were moody electonic instrumentals. Definitely not as “challenging” as some of his other works, but a long way from The LSO Play The Hits Of Rod Stewart; they’ve been quite radically rearranged. **Low** is slightly the better of the two, but _V2 Schneider_ scored for an orchestra kicks arse. And my three year old son sings along. ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/8 "2005-09-28T20:31:07Z")
His music is also featured on the soundtrack for **The Truman Show**. I wasn’t familiar with Glass before this movie but the soundtrack definitely blew me away. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/9 "2005-09-28T20:41:16Z")
The South Park Christmas Play in the first season of that show. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/10 "2005-09-28T20:48:16Z")
Two accessible picks: **Glassworks** (very basic, essential distillation of the basic Glass sound) and the **Mishima** soundtrack (even though the film itself isn’t). You might want to rent the movie first… ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/11 "2005-09-28T20:51:53Z")
I really like his score for [Hamburger Hill](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093137/). Its one of the few pieces of music out there I can call hauniting without exagerating. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/12 "2005-09-28T21:25:56Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > If you want to experience “minimalist” music at its finest - the genre Philip Glass is known for - I would recommend: > > - Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich > - Tabula Rasa by Arvo Part > > Both are truly beautiful. Amen. I came here to suggest “Music for 18 Musicians” and “Tabula Rasa!” Glass is the Kenny G of modern composition; listen to the real thing instead. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/13 "2005-09-28T21:49:22Z")
**Einstein on the Beach** had some pretty awesome moments. You can listen to samples [here](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005J28/104-9530249-2803147?v=glance) if you scroll down. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/14 "2005-09-28T22:43:07Z")
Huge Glass and minimal fan checking in. There are a small handful of Glass recordings that, IMHO, stand out from his catalogue at large, which really is one recording after another of the same material recycled and re-arranged. 1. **Einstein on the Beach** - a huge minimal “opera”, with a certain frantic energy not found in most of his other stuff. This is one of my favorites. It’s about 4 hours long IIRC, and is probably one of the most difficult to get into. It takes some time and patience but if you let it in, after about 20 minutes or so it becomes strangely addicting (at least for me. YMMV) I like to listen to it in the car on long trips really loud. 2. **Koyaanisqatsi** - this is probably my favorite piece by Glass, and along with the movie, is one of my favorite pieces of art in general. It’s very accessible, and I think very beautiful. See the movie first. (Incidentally, the music for _The Truman Show_ was taken from **Powaqatsi** the sequal to this. 3. **Passages** - in collaboration with Ravi Shankar. I wouldn’t say Glass is influenced by Shankar (as mentioned in the OP). Shankar is the best known figure of Indian Classical music, an extremely improvisational form of music. As a young composer Glass saw him perform and approached him with great interest. Years later they did this collaboration together. It works beautifully, especially considering how different their own respective musics are. 4. **Aguas da Amazonia** - this might be the one I’d recommend most to someone not too familar with this type of music. Performed by a very interesting virtuosic ensemble of exotic percussion instruments and flutes, named Uakti, Glass composes a piece for each of 9 rivers of the Amazon. Close your eyes and feel yourself rafting peacefully on your back through the Amazon. You can hear a sample [here](http://www.philipglass.com/html/recordings/uakti.html). Actually you can hear samples from the other albums [here](http://www.philipglass.com/?cmd=recordings) but I’m not going to go back and link each one. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/15 "2005-09-28T22:44:26Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Amen. I came here to suggest “Music for 18 Musicians” and “Tabula Rasa!” Glass is the Kenny G of modern composition; listen to the real thing instead. Hey, if you don’t like Glass, fair enough, but start your own thread about why you think he’s over-rated: the OP asked for Glass recommendations, not hipper-than-thou sneering. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/16 "2005-09-28T22:47:27Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > (Incidentally, the music for _The Truman Show_ was taken from **Powaqatsi** the sequal to this. Actually, Glass was excerpted from several sources for _Truman_, including “Anima Mundi” and _Mishima_ as well as Powaq **q** atsi ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/17 "2005-09-28T22:55:48Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Amen. I came here to suggest “Music for 18 Musicians” and “Tabula Rasa!” Glass is the Kenny G of modern composition; listen to the real thing instead. I would take issue with this characterization. Glass is 2nd, only to Reich in importance for the genre (with honorable mention to Terry Riley who’s really credited with the first composition in this genre “IN C”). It is true that Glass is generally much more pop-oriented than Reich. Reich is leagues more interesting, but that doesn’t make Glass not the “real thing”. I think Glass is a brilliant composer. I think Reich is a genius. Music for 18 is one of his masterpieces, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a first intro to him. It’s a lot to take in and takes a lot of patience. I’d recommend “Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ”, or “Electric Counterpoint” (hey it’s 15 electric guitars, who wouldn’t love that?) first. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/18 "2005-09-28T22:57:53Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Actually, Glass was excerpted from several sources for _Truman_, including “Anima Mundi” and _Mishima_ as well as Powaq **q** atsi Yes, I stand corrected (both on the sources, and on my spelling). ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/19 "2005-09-28T23:41:24Z")
I totally freakin’ groove on **Ahknaten.** I checked it out from the school library during an exploratory phase, and completely fell head over heels in love with it, but it was expensive and hard to find. Imagine my excitement when it was rereleased in a [very inexpensive edition](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000E1WMP/qid=1127951309/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1189228-5117422?v=glance&s=classical&n=507846)! It’s the complete two-disc recording, same as the original set, but it lacks the liner notes, which is unfortunate, because I think the story makes it much more accessible, and I really enjoyed poring obsessively over the historical backstory, the descriptions of the staging, and the lyrics. Happily the [liner notes](http://www.glasspages.org/akhnaten.html) are available from Glass’s website. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893/20 "2005-09-29T00:26:51Z")
Funny this should come up, because I happen to have _Songs From Liquid Days_ in my CD player right now, and I was just talking about it with a friend earlier today. It’s good, but very repetative (intentionally), and some of the verbal lyrics border on being corny. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/composer-phillip-glass-recommend-something-that-will-blow-me-away/323893.md?page=2)