Search - Philip Glass :: Glassmasters

A Fine Collection

Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 01/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was so relieved when this 3-disc set was released, because, while I like Glass's music generally, complete operas are out of my already overextended budget. At last I could hear highlights from the operas and other Glassworks without breaking the bank. I don't fully understand the arrangement of pieces on the discs, which mixes and matches works indiscriminately (it seems), and the two songs from the "Liquid Days" disc are recorded at a much higher volume level from the rest of the material, so I frequently program them out to avoid the annoyance. But all in all, I'm glad I got "Glass Masters"."

Great Appetizers but Patchy Sound Quality!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 05/21/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Philip Glass' music is probably very unlike what you are used to hearing if you are new to his style. For me when I first heard this album, it was like an assault on the senses and my first reaction was to cringe and I wanted to throw it out after just a few minutes. But then as I decided to give the album another chance - after all, I had spent quite a bit of cash on this 3-disc album - I realised that the music definitely grows on you.



It dawned upon me after a few listens that some of the material here is really very beautiful indeed. The tracks are also chosen by Philip himself as is explained in the liner notes that he penned as well. The tracks have been remastered too, except the problem is that the tracks are a combination of DDD and ADD mastering. As a result, the sound quality suffers from track to track, as all the "Einstein On the Beach" selections are ADD mastered while the rest are DDD and the difference is very noticeable: volume and sound quality levels dip considerably as the tracks change which is quite irritating.



Still, if you are interested in sampling Glass' work without having to buy the whole albums, this is probably the best place to start. I know that as a result of this appetizer, I am now interested in seeking out well remastered versions of "Solo Piano", "Einstein on the Beach" and "Glassworks." Music that defies description and is yet so addictive, let's hope they release a better remastered version of this and indeed the entire Glass catalog soon. I, for one, am waiting with baited breath..."

An excellent best of collection

Chet Fakir | DC | 07/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say that I prefer Glass' earlier, small ensemble works because of their striking originality, both in composition and instrumentation. The pieces on this CD are for the most part examples of his later much more ambitious, yet timbrally conventional orchestral works. There are tantalizing bits of earlier work such as Dance No. 5 but in general too much weight has been put on the later, larger operas and there isn't enough of his earlier ensemble work. However, the music contained herein is universally excellent and serves as a good sampler for those who don't want to buy all of Akhnaten, Satyagraha and Einstein on the Beach and who want a good, if flawed, overview of Phillip Glass' career.



That said, Glassworks is still a very good "best of" package and well worth having for the more frugal or casual Phillip Glass fan or for those unfamiliar with his work. If you can only own one Phillip Glass album this would be the one to get. I'm going to give it 5 stars just because of its beauty."