Orion is a live recording of the ninety-minute work commissioned by Arts, Dance, and Music Productions which premiered in Athens on June 3, 2004 (with The Philip Glass Ensemble) as part of the Cultural Olympiad in Greece. ... more »The recording features Eleftheria Arvanitaki vocalist, Mark Atkins on didjerido, Wu Man on pipa, Gaurav Mazumdar performing a sitar work by Ravi Shakar, Ashley MacIsaac on fiddle, Foday Musa Suso on kora, and the Brazilian ensemble Uakti. The American Premiere on June 21, 2005, will be held at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL.« less
Orion is a live recording of the ninety-minute work commissioned by Arts, Dance, and Music Productions which premiered in Athens on June 3, 2004 (with The Philip Glass Ensemble) as part of the Cultural Olympiad in Greece. The recording features Eleftheria Arvanitaki vocalist, Mark Atkins on didjerido, Wu Man on pipa, Gaurav Mazumdar performing a sitar work by Ravi Shakar, Ashley MacIsaac on fiddle, Foday Musa Suso on kora, and the Brazilian ensemble Uakti. The American Premiere on June 21, 2005, will be held at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL.
Joseph Geni | Evanston, Illinois United States | 08/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Philip Glass is Philip Glass, and no matter how many different global styles and instruments he incorporates into its work, you've still got the regular rhythmic patterns, ascending and descending melodic lines, and minimalist development. Glass fans won't be raving about this work for its originality, but rather because it's just GOOD. From Uakti's homemade percussion instruments to Chinese pipa to Grecian vocals to Australian didjeridoo, "Orion" is blessed with a variety of timbres and styles that keep it from becoming horribly repetitive, as it otherwise might have been. It helps to have seen a live performance of it (not that this is easy-the American premier was only a couple months ago) and to watch the interactions of the musicians and their instruments, but as a purely auditory experience this is a solid work with some remarkable soloists. I do recommend."
The Best Concert I Have Ever Seen
R. Hillman | Melbourne, Australia/ New York, USA | 11/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What do a Celtic fiddler with bleached hair in combat boots and a kilt, an old Aborigine with a didgerido in a ratty t-shirt, and an entire backing ensemble dressed completely in white have to do with each other? Absolutely nothing? You're right! But that is what makes "Orion" so amazing.
I saw Orion at the Melbourne International Arts Festival while studying there and it was, by far, the best act I saw the entire festival. The entire cast is nearly 20 people and while one may not think that all these different instruments could possibly function together, let alone make music--Glass shows you that they can and do. The personalitites of each of the instrumentalists comes streaming out while they play amid and with each other.
This concert was, by far, the most musically intensive and yet flawless concert I have ever seen. When I heard the CD afterwards, I was shocked to find that they really do sound on the CD like they do in real-life (a noble and dying art, it is sad to say).
Overall, this was the best CD I have ever bought. I recommend it to anyone who likes classical--and any other type of music. The fundamental parts blend seamlessly with the character of the entire group in a whirlwind experience that can only be described as "Orion.""
Astonishing in depth, beauty and grace.
DJ Wilbur | Manhasset, NY USA | 10/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw this performed in Brooklyn and i was ASTONISHED. One of Philips most rewarding compositions. Lush, gorgeous, intriguing, beguiling, entrancing, enchanting with a phenominal closing section featuring a greek singer. This piece builds up and ebbs down while featuring musicians from around the world, each world music section is delightful and skillfully played. Seemed to me each musician played their instruments in a non-traditional way but i dont know enough about some of these instruments to know for sure. Like all the Philip Glass compositions that i love, this one was slighty repetitive in a good way, with each section building slowly, ever so slightly changing to delight and hypnotize you into its magical spell. To think i was "dragged" to this show and wasnt looking forward to it and now i've been listening to the cd all weekend. A VERITABLE TRIUMPH. I wish i could give it 7 stars, one gold star for each country represented in the incredible musical piece known as Orion."
Philip Glass's latest work
Kamran Tavakoli | Seattle, WA USA | 08/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, He didn't disappoint. Actually if you are not a hard core minimalist fan, you can still enjoy this album quite a bit. It is Philip Glass style with a big influence from world music, many beautiful songs, Greece and India songs are to die for, Australia also kicks ass... I think it is a must have for Philip Glass fans, and a good starter for those who don't know him well.
Now why didn't he record "monsters of grace"?"
Give it a listen
Karl Pallmeyer | Austin, TX | 01/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music of Philip Glass usually polarizes listeners -- you either love it or hate it. I am firmly in the "love it" class, and I'd like to reach out to the other side and ask you to give Glass another chance.
"Orion" is perhaps the most accessible of Glass's works. There's more melody here than in most of his previous music, and the addition of the different world instruments gives the piece more tonal color than Glass usually uses. It's amazing how well Glass's electronics mix with sitar and the handmade instruments of Brazil's Ukati. And when everything comes together for the finale, "Greece," the music soars.
"Orion" is a magnificent musical experience, and you owe it to yourself to give it a listen. Even if you're not a Glass fan, you should be able to enjoy "Orion.""