Philip Glass - Einstein on the Beach

Title: Einstein on the Beach Artist: Philip Glass Release Date: 1979 Re-Released On: 9/28/1993 Label: Elektra, CBS Masterworks Duration: 200:40 Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 074643887526, 075597932324, 075597932348 Genre: Classical Style: Minimalism Moods: Ambitious, Cerebral, Circular, Epic, Complex, Elegant, Restrained, Sophisticated, Uncompromising, Calm/Peaceful, Reserved Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 4

1. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Knee Play 1
2. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 1. Scene 1 - Train
3. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 1. Scene 2 - Trial

1. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Knee Play 2
2. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 2. Scene 1 - Dance 1
3. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 2. Scene 2 - Night Train
4. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Knee Play 3

1. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 3. Scene 1 - Trial / Prison
2. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 3. Scene 2 - Dance 2
3. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Knee Play 4

1. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 4. Scene 1 - Building
2. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 4. Scene 2 - Bed
3. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Act 4. Scene 3 - Spaceship
4. Einstein on the Beach, opera~Knee Play 5

Year Type Label Catalog # 1993 CD Elektra 79323 1993 CD CBS Masterworks 79323

Einstein on the Beach [Germany]

This opera, composed in 1975 and premiered in 1976, is scored for four principal actors, 12 singers doubling as dancers and actors, a solo violinist, and an amplified ensemble of keyboards, winds and voices. It is imbued with the postmodern spirit both in its non-linear, poetic, mystic narrative and the floating, eternal world created by the shifting, mathematically precise patterns of Philip Glass' modal music. There are three primary visual sets linked to three musical themes that recur within the work: trains (recalling the metaphors Einstein used to illustrate the theory of relativity, and with which he played as a child), a trial setting (modern life and modern science examined), and a spaceship (a metaphor for transcendence, and/or an escape from nuclear disaster). Also, Einstein himself appears midway between the orchestra and the stage as a violinist (his hobby) and as observer/witness. There are also additional spoken texts written by Christopher Knowles, Samuel M. Johnson and Lucinda Childs, which appear in various arrangements for single and multiple voices. This work locates itself as a midpoint between the composer's early-'70s work, linking rhythmic and harmonic structures and his later series of operas and vocal works and film scores employing expanded narrative and/or timbral experiments. ~ "Blue" Gene Tyranny, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrew Sterman Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Piccolo Bruce Burroughs Vocals Connie Beckley Vocals Dana Reitz Vocals David Anchel Vocals David Woodberry Vocals Dickie Landry Saxophone, Flute Dora Ohrenstein Vocals Elsa Higby Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal) Eric W. Lamp Tenor (Vocal) Forest Warren Vocals Frank Conversano Vocals George Andoniadis Vocals Gregory Dolbashian Voices Gregory Fulkerson Violin Gregory Purnhagen Baritone (Vocal) Grethe Holby Vocals Iris Hiskey Vocals Jasper McGruder Voices Jeannie Hutchins Vocals Jeff Kensmoe Baritone (Vocal) Jeffrey Johnson Tenor (Vocal) John Kock Tenor (Vocal) Jon Gibson Glockenspiel, Sax (Soprano), Flute, Saxophone Katie Geissinger Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal) Kristin Norderval Soprano (Vocal) Kurt Munkasci Producer Lisa Vielawa Soprano (Vocal) Lucinda Childs Voices Marc Jacobi Vocals Margo Gezairlian Grib Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal) Marie Rice Vocals Marion Beckenstein Soprano (Vocal) Martin Goldray Keyboards Michael Riesman Producer, Conductor, Director, Keyboards Michele A. Eaton Soprano (Vocal) Patricia Schuman Soprano (Vocal) Paul Zukofsky Violin Peter Stewart Baritone (Vocal) Philip Glass Producer, Keyboards, Orchestra, Lyricist Philip Glass Ensemble Ensemble Philip Smith Vocals Richard Landry Cover Photo Richard Morrison Vocals Richard Peck Flute, Sax (Alto), Saxophone, Sax (Tenor) Ritty Ann Burchfield Vocals Robert Wilson Design, Director Ronald Roxbury Vocals Sean Barker Vocals Sheryl Sutton Voices