Album 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
Album Description
Early Voice is the second release from Orange Mountain Music, a label created to expose previously unavailable recordings from the personal archive of Philip Glass. Two tracks 'Music for Voices' featuring Mabou Mines (13 min. 26 sec.) & 'Another Look at Harmony, Part 4' feat. the Western Wind (50 min. 10 sec.). 2002.
Album Details
Features Music Originally Recorded in the Early 70's.the Orange Mountain Label is Dedicated to Unveiling Previously Unavailable Gems from the Archive of this Important Contemporary Composer.
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