Search - Philip Glass :: Philip Glass - Monsters of Grace

Full of Grace, but No Monsters

Marvin Cohodas | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 11/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The performing version of Monsters of Grace was one of several collaborations between Philip Glass and Robert Wilson, debuting in 1998. Glass provided the graceful music--song settings to texts of the 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic known as Rumi. Wilson provided the monsters, in the form of visual effects in 3d that required the audience to wear special glasses for full effect. I never saw the performance and thus am not sure what point was being made by this clash of moods.



But the CD is no mystery: just gentle, graceful, tender music by Philip Glass brilliantly expressing the nuances of Rumi's deliciously evocative, often erotic, and always celebratory poetry. The text is full of unforgettable lines like: "Last night the moon came dropping its clothes in the street. I took it as a sign to start singing."



The orchestration, based in part on Middle Eastern instruments, has a chamber orchestra quality that also perfectly complements the gentleness of the music and clarity of the poetry. The singing is quiet and intimate. It seems as if we've been invited to a friendly and joyous gathering in someone's living room where a small group of musicians accompanies guests as they take turns offering songs to a group of their dearest friends.



This music is a lullaby and a gentle embrace--an act of love."

After all these years, worth the wait

A. Frech | Atlanta, GA, USA | 11/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was fortunate to see this performance at its premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music, but tortured all these years wondering if it would ever be released on CD. Wait no more.



This performance contains many of the best characteristics of Philip Glass's music, with allusions to many of his previous best-loved works, such as Songs from Liquid Days (an excellent starter/sampler for Glass beginners), Hydrogen Jukebox, La Belle et la Bete, and many more. Set to the vivid poetry of Rumi, you may listen to this piece over and over to pick up more details in its complex tapestry of music and sung poetry."

Beautiful

M. Smit | Netherlands | 02/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first track, "Where Everything is Music", is worth the price of the album, even if the rest of the songs isn't fully up to the same standard, I think overall the album is one of Philip Glass' best song collections. As five-star as five stars get in my book. I used to only like Philip Glass' instrumental music, but albums like this one are changing my opinion. The combination of the music and the voices is stunning. Stereo Gram is another great track."