UK premiere of Philip Glass' "Book of Longing"

[tomsakic]

One of the U.K.'s most esteemed fine arts institutions will celebrate the punk phenomenon, the music of Mozart and the writing of Anton Chekhov next spring as part of its 25th anniversary.

London's Barbican Centre will host 25 different artistic and cultural happenings in 2007. Individual events will range from a display of the iconic album covers of the Sex Pistols to performances of Chekhov's Three Sisters.

Other birthday celebration highlights include performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group, a gala concert of Mozart piano concertos, the London Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 and the world premiere of Book of Longing, a 12-part music cycle composed by Philip Glass and based on Leonard Cohen's poetry.

Source: CBC Arts

Update: the premiere is scheduled for October 19-21, 2007

[lizzytysh]

. . . a 12-part music cycle composed by Philip Glass and based on Leonard Cohen's poetry.

I wonder if this will be recorded for future use. It would seem so. I'd love to hear it. [Henning... someone's on to you .]

~ Lizzy

[tomsakic]

Take a look at http://www.philipglass.com/ ... Philip Glass is releasing dozen of CDs every year. This will be surely released in year or two.

[tomsakic]

I wasn't familiar with Glass's 1984 piece on Leonard's poem "There Are Some Men":

http://philipglass.com/html/composition ... pella.html

Three songs for chorus a capella
1986
12'
Music by Philip Glass
Lyrics by Leonard Cohen, Raymond Levesque, Octavio Paz

CAST:
SATB chorus

COMMISSION:
Quebec 1534-1984 Festival

NOTES:
I. There Are Some Men
II. Quand Les Hommes Vivront D'amour
III. Pierre de Soleil

PUBLISHER: Dunvagen Music Publishers

Released on album in 2000:
http://philipglass.com/html/recordings/three-songs.html

Three Songs / Songs from Liquid Days / Vessels
Music by Philip Glass
The Crouch End Festival Chorus
National Sinfonia
David Temple, conductor

TRACKS:

THREE SONGS — For Choir a Capella
1. There Are Some Men 2:54
2. Quand les Hommes Vivront d'Amour 3:00
3. Pierre de Soleil 4:02
VESSELS from KOYAANISQATSI — For Choir, Saxophones and Flute
4. Vessels (from Koyaanisqatsi) 7:55
SONGS FROM LIQUID DAYS — For Choir, Soloists and Orchestra
5. Changing Opinion 8:59
6. Lightning 6:47
7. In Liquid Days 5:09
8. Open The Kingdom 8:31
9. Freezing 3:28
10. Forgetting 9:07

From liner notes:

The Three Songs were commissioned for the 350th Anniversary of Quebec in 1984 and, like Songs from liquid days, the Three Songs set words from a wide variety of sources. Perhaps because they are sung a capella, they are tighter, more concise. And if anyone doubted Glass's ability to write powerful, melodic (non-minimalist) music they need look no further than the first of these songs, There are some men.

Exclusive sampler from http://www.philipglass.com:

There Are Some Men MP3

[Red Poppy]

With Glass, could be brilliant, could be shit (or shite if, like me, you're Irish)

[Zoe Martell]

I, too, can be a bit hot and cold on Phillip Glass (oh, so many arpeggios!)... but I'd still love to see this -- and I intend to do just that if it is performed anywhere near me.

I think Glass' work, like that of many minimalist composers, is best appreciated live, at least in my experience.

[Red Poppy]

And by small people........................

[tomsakic]

(For Paula and Margaret:-)

The UK premiere is also confirmed:

Glassworks
Book of Longing
20 October 2007 / 19:30
Barbican Hall
Tickets: £25 £30 £35

Philip Glass Book of Longing
A special evening of newly commissioned work based on the poetry of Leonard Cohen. Conceived
by Philip Glass over 6 years ago after Cohen himself read him most of the writings now published as Book of Longing, this music is the culmination of the mutual admiration between
two of America’s most celebrated and uncompromising artists. Glass sets Cohen’s deeply personal
and provocative words to a new score, performing with a new ensemble of singers and musicians.

Pre-concert talk 6.00pm

Book of Longing was commissioned by:
Lumniate Festival of Arts and Creativity, Toronto;
The Barbican, London; Lincoln Center Festival, New York; Wales Millennium Center, Cardiff; Stanford Lively Arts, Stanford University, University of Texas, Austin.


http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event- ... sp?ID=5360

There's also Booking link.

[tomsakic]

This is a part of three nights of Glassworks festival (http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/series.asp?id=390) - Patti Smith night is already sold out, so be quick:-)

Or there's no interest for Leonard?

[lizzytysh]

Is there a booking link for Canada, Tom? When I looked the other day [yesterday? time passes so quickly ], I couldn't locate one.

[I knoooow... lazy, lazy... ]

Thanks for any info, anyway .


~ Lizzy

[tomsakic]

I realised that Ken already posted this link in other thread (about Canadian premiere at the Luminato Festival)

I guess Dick knows the answer, Lizzytysh, he's organising the gathering there, after all;-) Is that posted in Other Gatherings section?

[lizzytysh]

Yes... just no specific mention of booking tickets. I'll check with him, but since you'd brought it up, asked you... .


~ Lizzy

[Pete]

Where is everyone sitting? Stalls? Circle? Balcony?
I'm going to book my seat a.s.a.p.


Paula? are you going?

Pete

[Paula]

Oh sod it Pete in for a penny in for a pound. Cheapo seats or more expensive?

I don't like classical music or singers that make my ears bleed and I have a horrible idea it is gonna be both but what the hell!

[lizzytysh]

Your ears will be bleeding love, Paula... I'm sure of it . The terms used to classify the singers only suggest classical. The music, the voices, the instruments, and as always, Leonard's words... I can't wait to get your feedback .


Love,
Lizzie