From H James Harkins Sent Thu, Jul 9th 1998, 16:15
From H James Harkins Sent Thu, Jul 9th 1998, 16:15
Classical records: as has been mentioned, minimalists from the 60's and
70's are a great place to start. Riley's "In C" is easy to find. Reich...
go for the early tape-loop stuff, "Come Out," and Piano Phase and Violin
Phase... and, I've raved about it before and I'll do so again, "Music for
18 Musicians." Still some of the best ambient music I've yet heard, would
love to hear someone drop it in a chill-out room someday. Glass: stick to
the early stuff, "Einstein on the Beach" and before (i.e. up to the mid
70's). In those days he had this spectacularly original sonic world, with
shimmering organs and high woodwinds doing the trademark arpeggios. When he
tries to translate it to the orchestra, I'm mostly unconvinced.
Older music: Stravinsky. You must check out Stravinsky. Petrouchka, Sacre
du Printemps (Rite of Spring) are the most famous (with good reason). And,
it's well worth hunting out the Deutsche Gramophon reissue of Leonard
Bernstein's recording of "Les Noces (The Wedding)" -- chorus, soloists, 4
pianos, percussion -- driving, mechanical rhythms, crunchy harmonies,
energy. This is the only recording I've heard that brings this piece to
life, though, so don't settle for less. (The "b side" of that CD is
Stravinsky's "Mass," which is exquisite for different reasons.)
J
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