Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Knee Play 1 - Michael Riesman
2. Act I, Scene 1: Train - Philip Glass Ensemble
3. Act I, Scene 2: Trial - Michael Riesman

Disc 2:

1. Knee Play 2 - Michael Riesman
2. Act II, Scene 1: Dance 1 - Philip Glass Ensemble
3. Act II, Scene 2: Night Train - Philip Glass Ensemble
4. Knee Play 3 - Michael Riesman

Disc 3:

1. Act III, Scene 1: Trial/Prison - Philip Glass Ensemble
2. Act III, Scene 2: Dance ("Field With Spaceship") - Michael Riesman
3. Knee Play 4 - Michael Riesman

Disc 4:

1. Act IV, Scene 1: Building/Train - Philip Glass Ensemble
2. Act IV, Scene 2: Bed - Michael Riesman
3. Act IV, Scene 3: Spaceship - Philip Glass Ensemble
4. Knee Play - Michael Riesman

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45789 in Music
• Released on: 1993-09-28
• Number of discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .63 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Although Einstein on the Beach is by definition an opera, Philip Glass's most famous work also transcends traditional music categories. Glass avoided all vestiges of plot in the piece and dug deep into his quiver of repetitions to create an artfully unnerving five hours of brilliance. The instrumental ensemble never exceeds five members, playing electric keyboards, saxophones, flutes, and a single violin. Furthermore, the music congregates around the upper registers, often darting through its loops at seemingly incredible paces. The chorus bears huge chops, creating a dense, if silkenly staccato, series of juts, and a powerful array of higher-register annunciations that ring with the aural power of leaping, blurring filaments. This 1993 version of Einstein truly supersedes its predecessors, stretching to around 190 minutes over three CDs. There is a strong current of postmodern collage throughout the piece, with rafts of pop culture references. But Einstein, after all, is indeed based loosely on Albert Einstein and ends with booming allusions to nuclear annihilation and mathematics. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

One, Two, Three . . .
Einstein on the Beach is hardcore Philip Glass with its frenzied (and repetitive) pace, nonsensical poems, and exhaustive length. While this opera helped propel his fame, I would not recommend diving into it if you are looking for an introduction to what Philip Glass writes. Personally, I discovered and grew to love this music through the compilation CD, Songs from the Trilogy. It is cheaper than any recording of these three operas and lets you hear the best of what they have to offer. Of the three, I think Einstein on the Beach is the most difficult to appreciate and even after purchasing, it sat on my shelf. Yet, over time, I begin to hear more than the "One, two, three" and violins sawing away: there's a delicate sound beneath it all. Akhnaten and Satyagraha have this quality as well, but it's easier to hear at first listening. So if you're a casual Philip Glass listener, be prepared to not like Einstein at first because it is so much different than his more recent releases.

For die-hard Glass fans, this recording is the longer (and cheaper) of the two available. If you enjoy his Music in Twelve Parts and other earlier works, this opera is a real treat. Since Einstein is such a monumental piece in the Glass library, it's a must buy. But if you're looking for something less hardcore, try Songs from the Trilogy. I gave five stars because when compared to other music, it's still awe-inspiring, but when compared to other Philip Glass music, especially the other two operas, it rates three stars.

the superior Einstein recording
Presumably, if you're reading this, you're shopping for one of the two Einstein on the Beach recordings and trying to pick between the two. This is a VASTLY superior disc. The improvement in synthesizer capabilities in the decades between the earlier recording and this one are notable from the beginning of Disc 1, Track 1. The organs here as a result have a warmer, fuller sound. Recording technology also improved, and the overall result is better tone, better clarity. Fulkerson's violin playing is more soulful than Zukovsky's, and his huge sound is far more appropriate in much of the passagework. There is far greater accuracy and superior tone and clarity throughout in the other instruments as well, in particular the piccolos, and the choir here is simply better. Finally, the price tag is somewhat less discouraging.

If you like Einstein on the Beach, absolutely get this recording. If you are curious about Philip Glass and want a representative sample of his best music, absolutely get this recording.

The best recording of this completely original work
I must confess that I didn't really like Einstein on the Beach, but like so much 20th century music, it has really grown on me.

This is the definitive recording of the four-plus-hour "opera." For those unfamiliar with this landmark in modern music, it is said by many to be one of the most well known examples of `minimalist' music (although Glass himself evidently abhors this term).

Unlike most western compositions which rely on harmony, melody, and such, EOTB's music is based almost completely on rhythm. In order to hear the complex rhythmic relationships, Glass decided to pare down his music into basic harmonies and melodies. While it seems constant at first, Glass' music evolves at an almost-glacial pace, and the music actually seldom repeats itself.

EOTB debuted in 1976 and is a non-narrative history of the famous scientist. Instead of a plot, the opera unfolds much like a dream, representing the various aspects of Einstein and his life--the violinist, the humorist, and the scientist who's discoveries `enabled' space travel, time distortion, other various aspects of modern society, and, of course, nuclear annihilation.

The liner booklet is exceptional and does a much better job explaining the opera than an amateur like me ever could.

I really like this music and find it entrancing. Almost all the dialogue is present on this recording, which also helps provide some of the effect of the performance.

Although EOTB has much in common with popular techno music, I don't think it would make a great gift for anybody who doesn't know what it's about. If you have heard of EOTB and find it at least interesting, then you'll enjoy this CD set.