Track Listing

1. Subterraneans [From Low Symphony]
2. Some Are [From Low Symphony]
3. Warszawa [From Low Symphony]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40280 in Music
• Released on: 1993-02-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Glass finds inspiration for his music in the strangest places. Here, he has taken his themes for the Low Symphony from the music of David Bowie and Brian Eno, specifically from their album entitled Low. You needn't be familiar with (or like) the work of Bowie or Eno to appreciate this piece, which is in three movements: Subterrraneans, Some Are, and Warszawa. Glass doesn't quote the borrowed themes directly, but lets them generate their own variations- -which he's very good at. This is an unexpected success and a grand delight. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews

The Highs of Low
This is one of the very rare adaptations of rock themes to not be an embarrassment to its source or to its appropriator. I say this as someone who frequently finds himself choking on symphonic "tributes" and the like that have cluttered record bins. You know the sort of CD I am talking about. Symphonic tributes to Pink Floyd, Queen, Alan Parsons, The Moody Blues...all sounding saccharine and cloying, all disposable after about two days.

Not so with Philip Glass and "The Low Symphony." While Glass took a few of the main themes from Bowie/Eno's album and then building them with themes of his own, Glass structured the three movements of his first-ever symphony with hypnotic grace. You'll recognize the subtle points of Bowie's work (especially in "Warszawa"), but you'll also find yourself being mesmerized by the way Glass captured them in his own inimitable fashion.

Back in 1993, while I was writing for a broadcasting trade paper, I rated "The Low Symphony" as one of my Top Ten Records of that year. It sat in the list alongside of Sting's "Ten Summoner's Tales," Elvis Costello's "The Juliet Letters," John Hiatt's "Perfectly Good Guitar" and "Spilt Milk" by Jellyfish. I still find myself reaching for this CD in the moments when I need calm. It remains that influential for me.

Lyrical Beauty, Rhythmic Grace
This is a wonderfully fresh work, filled with lyrical and rhythmic grace and beauty. You will not find a single note of angst here. It is light, airy, and at times gently serious, but it never takes itself too seriously. It strikes a delicate balance between being serious modern music and music meant for pure pleasure. It is a truly enjoyable experience to listen to this symphony. This album can serve as an excellent introduction to Glass's work, and also a gentle way to inspire someone's interest in exploring more serious modern works.

Melodic and familiar, surprisingly so
As an avid Brian Eno and David Bowie Fan, and being only marginally aware of Philip Glass as a contemporary composer, I was surprised by this recording. I expected the basic melodies to be either missing, obscured, or altered beyond recognition. I was wrong. The originals are easily recognizable in Glass' composition. In fact, while it was lovely to hear full orchestral arrangements of the compelling Eno/Bowie melodies, by the end of the Symphony, I found that I wanted Glass to take more liberties. Regardless, this is a fine recording.