Sufjan Stevens - The BQE
List Price:
Our Price: $12.14
You Save: $6.84 (36%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.75 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Sufjan StevensEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2009-10-20
Music Label: Asthmatic Kitty
Soundtracks:
- Prelude on the Esplanade
- Introductory Fanfare for the Hooper Heroes
- Movement I In the Countenance of Kings
- Movement II Sleeping Invader
- Interlude I Dream Sequence in Subi Circumnavigation
- Movement III Linear Tableau with Intersecting Surprise
- Movement IV Traffic Shock
- Movement V Self-Organizing Emergent Patterns
- Interlude II Subi Power Waltz
- Interlude III Invisible Accidents
- Movement VI Isorhythmic Night Dance with Interchanges
- Movement VII (Finale) The Emperor of Centrifuge
- Postlude Critical Mass
Music reviews of The BQE
Music Review: Quite impressive
Rating: 5 Stars
I love this guy and have all his previous releases. This release has his trademark style but is quite a departure being an instrumental soundtrack to a short film. I might classify it's overall style as modern classical.
From what I glean from the video, the film was commissioned (?) by the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It is quite stunning. It is shot as 3 frames across the screen. At first I found this a bit disconcerting, but after a short while was fully absorbed in it. As the title indicates, it is an examination of the BQE from the road itself to the surrounding neighborhoods and streets. Starting with shots of the neighborhoods, it gradually builds, moving into scenes of and on the road itself. One scene which is tracked from the drivers point of view at high speed is exhilerating. It ends with some beautiful visuals of abstract lights and colors. Interspersed with the BQE scenes are 3 women playing with hula hoops, which may sound silly but is not. Some of these short interludes also feature very abstract, impressionistic filming. Overall, I appreciated and got a true feel for the BQE and it's surrounds as a living organism. The film demands repeated viewings, and I did not realize Sufjan was such an accomplished filmmaker. Be aware this is on the impressionistic "artsy" side which is fine by me.
As for the music, with lyrics this might not seem such a radical departure from his past efforts, but it is different. When listening to the music while watching the film I was very much reminded of Philip Glass or Steve Reich, though not as minimalist. The songs are orchestrated, and vary in style and dynamics. Some feature piano in the front, a couple trumpets and horns, and a couple more a music box (I think? lovely tinkling whatever it is). It is very hard to describe the overall sound and style Sufjan achieves here, but it does lean towards the modern classical realm.
If you are expecting a rehash of his earlier works you will be disappointed. If you approach this with fresh ears as I did, you might agree that this is a brilliant piece of work. Consider that this is a film score. In this regard the music is stronger when watching the film as it drives and complements the visuals. It brings them to life. Listening to the CD alone is still rewarding. Varied and complex, Sufjan has created a very strong "modern classical" score incorporating much of his "trademark" style. If you enjoyed his previous works I would recommend this, and it could likely extend his audience into different niches. I wonder where he will go next? ps - trying to read the cover abstractions is a bit of fun too!
Description of The BQE
Sufjan Stevens is proud to present The BQE, a cinematic suite inspired by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Hula-Hoop. Commissioned by Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The BQE was originally performed in the Howard Gilman Opera House in celebration of the 25th anniversary Next Wave Festival in October of 2007. Comes as CD/DVD package.Alternative Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $149.98
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $99.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $183.90
Similar CDs
Sufjan Stevens - Songs for ChristmasRelease date: 2006-11-21; Music CD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - A Sun CameRelease date: 2004-07-20; Music CD
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - Enjoy Your RabbitRelease date: 2002-04-16; Music CD
Best price: $8.98
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois AlbumRelease date: 2006-07-11; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Osso - Run Rabbit Run: Osso Performs Sufjan StevensRelease date: 2009-10-06; Music CD
Best price: $7.88
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel the IllinoiseRelease date: 2005-07-05; Music CD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - Seven SwansRelease date: 2004-03-16; Music CD
Best price: $9.45
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted PeopleRelease date: 2010-12-07; Music CD
Best price: $7.84
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - The Age of AdzRelease date: 2010-10-12; Music CD
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops:
Sufjan Stevens - MichiganRelease date: 2003-07-01; Music CD
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: