Philip Glass: Aguas Da Amazonia

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Music reviews of Philip Glass: Aguas Da Amazonia

Music Review: A magical journey down the rivers of South America
Rating: 5 Stars

Well, that's what this music is. It evokes the feel of being there, under the leaves on the river. The first track, 'Tiquie River,' is a simple organ/pizzicato affair, and at under two minutes long, it instills an initial sense of calm, before drifting into 'Japura River'.

Japura is darker, and the piece is much more rhythmic. Glass marimba floats over the underlying xylophone texture, and pan-pipes emerge from the shadows from time to time. The piece builds up and generally gives off the mood of travelling down a darkened river, shaded by thick jungle. It's mysterious, but it's not scary.

'Purus River' is a happier piece with a mixture of marimba/xylophone/piano/panpipes and native Amazonian percussion.

'Negro River' has a more tribal feel, and also debuts a rather unique Amazonian string instrument that sounds rather like the Turkish 'saz'.

'Madeira River' starts off with a rather atonal string instrument, but eventually builds up into a fast flurry of xylophones and marimba creating a waterfall-style effect.

If Koyaanisqatsi had scenes from the jungle, 'Tapajos River' is the ideal tune. There are similarities to Koyaanisqatsi tunes and themes here, but with the jungle edge.

'Amazon River' finds us reaching the end of our river cruise in a fast flurry of trees, water, waterfalls, and fast percussion pushing us along. The piece becomes flurried towards the end, and then leaves us, waking up from our dream.

'Metamorphosis I' seems to be a bit of an 'add-on' to the album, simply being a 'cover version' of Metamorphosis I by Uakti. It's good, and their instrumentation makes it feel like yet another journey through the jungle, but it's tighter and more restrained than the other pieces, so we're not on the river, we're on foot. The piece moves well, and ends with us running through the jungle through to the climax.

A delightful album with EXCELLENT instrumentation. It's a great listen, but it's also delightful to fall asleep to too. An album for any occasion.. active listening, or just in the background at an outdoor summer barbecue.

Description of Philip Glass: Aguas Da Amazonia

Classical CDs

• Music > Styles
• World Music
• Jazz
• Latin Music
• Pop