Philip Glass: Symphony No.3

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Music reviews of Philip Glass: Symphony No.3

Music Review: Theres more than just Symphony 3 on this CD
Rating: 5 Stars

Symphony Number 3 is heavy on the strings with plenty of sliding and pizzicato; overall, the symphony isn't as dynamic and powerful as his Symphony Number 2. However, the tonal myriad of the various strings is a real treat. While the first and second movements are energetic, the real cornerstone of the symphony is the somber third movement. It is reminiscent of his operatic work as a sequence is repeated throughout the various instruments with various additions and subtractions made as the movement progresses. The short forth movement returns to the energetic feel of the second movement finishing the symphony with a flourish.

There are two interludes from the CIVIL warS included. As the name of an interlude would suggest, these pieces are bridge pieces with a softness and subtlety of play. While the CIVIL warS itself can be cacophonous at times, these interludes are calming and quite melodic. Between the two interludes, a piece from The Voyage is included. This short piece uses the full orchestra alternating between dramatic crescendos and softer solos. It definitely has my interest as to what the rest of The Voyage sounds like.

The real star of this CD, and my favorite, is The Light. I believe The Light is much like Itaipu in purpose and dimension: dedicated to an achievement of man. Thus, the music is inspiring and dramatic; the use of the brass section of the orchestra is exquisite. The liner notes report that "Mr. Glass depicts the light itself" which I did not hear; it sounds much more "romantic" than just light itself.

Philip Glass critics may say the music on this CD is the same recycled themes found in most of his work. To Philip Glass fans, this CD is a definite addition to their library. So if you're just a casual listener to Philip Glass, pass on this one; for the rest of us fanatics, he can't release this music fast enough. While I gave 5 stars (because whatever you say, it's still Philip Glass and worth 5 stars), when compared to his other discs I'd rate it at 4 stars.

Description of Philip Glass: Symphony No.3

Next, two scene-change interludes from the CIVIL warS, omitted from the 1999 recording of Glass and Wilson's aborted Olympics spectacle, surround the "Mechanical Ballet" from the Columbus opera The Voyage. As excerpts, these pieces cannot significantly influence our interpretation of Glass's evolving aesthetic, but they offer revealing snapshots of works that have never been completely represented on disc. The last track, The Light, part of his Portraits of Nature trilogy (along with Itaipu and The Canyon), was booed on its Cleveland premiere. However, there's no good reason for such a response. By his own admission, Glass remains primarily a collaborative composer. It's easy enough to imagine this piece accompanying a retro silent film about Michelson and Morley, the two light-obsessed scientists Glass commemorates. Like The Canyon, this one-movement work demonstrates his good humor, fertile imagination, and skillful orchestration. His critics always claim that he lacks these gifts, that his music is nothing but the same thing over and over again. On the contrary, this marvelous disc shows how Glass's music is never the same thing, over and over again. --Robert Burns Neveldine

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