There are so many lovely albums but two of my faourites are Naquoyqatsi and the soundtrack from the film The Hours.

Agreed the Hours is well worth a listen. The Kronos Quartet versions of the string quartets (Nonesuch) are essential listening. NAXOS have good recordings of some of the symphonies and the Adele Anthony version of the violin concerto (also NAXOS) is well worth its modest price.

You could also try the Essential Philip Glass on Sony - to sample some of the other works.

I love all three of the qatsi films.

Sound tracks and films just = Brilliant.

I bought this a while back,

It stayed in the car for months.

Its now in my 7 year olds bedroom, so i had to buy another copy.

Cheap as chips though.

PS, Lontano has seen him do some of his best works live in some fantastic places.

Stu.

Stu,

thanks for the recommendations!

Never seen Philip Glass live, and if a chance comes to see him or his work performed here in Stockholm, I will take the opportunity

Also I found a 10CD box from Nonesuch called "glass box"-

can be had for very little money, but I am unsure of the selection and quality.
Has anyone bought this and could share an opinion?

joacim

joacim,

I would grab it if its a good price.

Its a good set.

Stu.

think I will, it is $ 86 and can be bought for $ 65 at on of the dominating web shops.

included material:

DISC 1

music in contrary motion

music with changing parts

music in similar motion

DISC 2

music in 12 parts

DISC 3

einstein on the beach

DISC 4

glassworks/ analogue

DISC 5

Satyagraha

DISC 6

Koyaanisqatsi

DISC 7

String quartet 2, 4 and 5

Etude for piano 2, 3, 5, and 9

DISC 8

the civil wars

hydrogen Jukebox

Symphony 5

Akhnaten

DISC 9

Symphony No3 and 5

DISC 10

Mishima

the secret agent
kundun

/joacim

Its £59 and £55 from amazon uk and there sellers.

Worth it for the music.

Stu.

That box has a lot of his classic early albums on it. Some fascinating stuff there but not always the easiest of listening. If you are serious about trying out Glass then it is a good buy and you will have lots to explore.

Then add in some of his other soundtrack work then you have a fine collection.

I've seen him numerous times but I'm in LA, first time in 80s Koyaaniqatsi film, 2 friends, one was fascinated, the other 15 minutes in leaned over and asked me when they were going to start speaking, "i don't know if they will"  he froze, I leaned toward my other friend for good vibes.  I first saw his face in Detroit art museum Chuck Close portrait 15 ' tall, Phillip.  His ensemble doing 1000 airplanes on the Roof, that was a wild ride.  He also was music director at Ojai Music Festival years ago, later they had Steve Reich, that was way fun.  Recently John Adams conducted his 9th Symphony, very muscular warm sound and the his own Violin Concerto.  Wow, what a night at Disney Hall.

There's a wonderful documentary something like '13 films of Phillip Glass', great interviews, history and how he composes out in the wilds on coast in Maine I think.  I find his work meditative, but don't be surprised if you get almost hysterical negative reactions from musicians and other people. Also 'music for 18 musicians' is a wonderful early work.

Koyannisquatsi soundtrack is fairly powerful.  G

Try to get his Violin Concerto on Deutsche Grammophon.  Wonderful recording

I particularly like Adams because he's moved to a more lyrical non minimalist phase.  His Violin concerto is pretty incredible, first time I heard it was very difficult, again went with a friend who didn't know classical but a few standard pieces, he hated it. What drew me in was the 2nd slow movement then the last is a big romp.  2 years later at premier of Naive and Sentimental Music, his big symphony again, edge of my seat not being able to comprehend it. Bought Gidon Kremer's version of the Violin concerto and everything fell into place, couldn't stop playing it.  Sat night raced last minute to hear the N&S symphony and was overjoyed at the piece.  It is huge and dynamic, watch out for your woofers on that one, I've had people jump off my couch. lol

Recently heard leila josefowicz play the Violin Concerto she's done it many times around the world, it was an outstanding performance at Disney.