Search - glass philip :: akhnaten

The Fire of the Aten

Kreuger | 08/04/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this and the new recording of Glass: Satyagraha (Complete) on the strength of the recordings on Philip Glass: Songs from the Trilogy.



I already knew Einstein on the Beach, and liked much of it. It was the pieces from Satyagraha and Akhnaten that really moved me.



I have no regrets. The sound on both recordings is excellent. There is one common disappointment with both CDs, they both have limited liner notes. I love the 'voice as instrument' that is demanded by an opera being sung in ancient languages; there is no way to hear it in modern words. However, it would also suggest that the liner notes might compensate, but both discs have limited explanations or information.



This recording of Akhnaten is lively, clear, and by turns, powerful, tender, thunderous and lyrical. And while it is from earlier in his career its already moving away from the hard structure of Einstein and Music in 12 Parts. The whole opera has a warm dark sound to, ironically contrasting the tale of monotheistic sun worship. This feels like it is the place where his earlier works began to bridge styles into his later works. This has about as much in common with his ensemble writing as it does with his symphonies, especially 2,3, & 8.



This album is going to live in my stereo for a long time."