Please recommend an album by Philip Glass...

I heard a few tunes by Glass and they sound ok... so I want to listen to more of his work. Can somebody recommend a good starting point? Is there a definitive or best of album which would give me a good overview? Please no minimalist-bashers if possible... ;)

I know Philip Glass isn't a very good composer, but film music is slightly different. I don't think he's that amazing at film scoring either. Let's see, recent film scoring is for John Williams, Thomas Newman or James Horner. Those guys are really good at their jobs. I'm not a minimalist basher, Glass is just ordinary.

I know Philip Glass isn't a very good composer,

what makes you say that? You may not like him, but that doesn't mean he's not a good composer :P

Fail

Philip Glass' Symphony No. 2 is VERY good, I suggest checking that out.

Fail

Philip Glass' Symphony No. 2 is VERY good, I suggest checking that out.

I concur - the Naxos album Symphonies No. 2 & No. 3 is a good place to start. I also like the Philip Glass Editions: Solo Piano. Glass performs Glass...it's quite good.

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I know Philip Glass isn't a very good composer, but film music is slightly different. I don't think he's that amazing at film scoring either. Let's see, recent film scoring is for John Williams, Thomas Newman or James Horner. Those guys are really good at their jobs. I'm not a minimalist basher, Glass is just ordinary.

:huh: Who's talking about film scoring? If you have nothing constructive to contribute, why bother?

Actually the best thing to check out is some of his early stuff when he was still being experimental - the soundtrack to koyaanisqatsi is really effective and very well scored, nothing like the recent mush -

can I recommend a few other pieces that are of similar style, but by different compsoers?

Steve Reich: Desert Music

John Adams: Harmonium, Harmonielehre

those are three of my faves, and I prefer them to anything Glass has ever done. but that's a personal thing.

:huh: Who's talking about film scoring? If you have nothing constructive to contribute, why bother?

Well that's not up to you to say its unconstructive, and who isn't talking about film scoring?

Glass doesn't have a very impressive collection so there is not much to say about him that isn't constructive. Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, keep your bold questions away from me.

On the other hand I second in recommending the pieces Qc has mentioned.

Originally posted by jujimufu

what makes you say that? You may not like him, but that doesn't mean he's not a good composer

No, I do like Philip Glass.

I know Philip Glass isn't a very good composer, but film music is slightly different. I don't think he's that amazing at film scoring either. Let's see, recent film scoring is for John Williams, Thomas Newman or James Horner. Those guys are really good at their jobs. I'm not a minimalist basher, Glass is just ordinary.

What?! No mention of Howard Shore? Shame on you. :P

Steve Reich: Desert Music

John Adams: Harmonium, Harmonielehre

those are three of my faves, and I prefer them to anything Glass has ever done. but that's a personal thing.

FABULOUS PIECES!!! Go with that.

This is just personal opinion of course, but the only Glass CD I found to be interesting was the one that my college buddies and I used for a drink coaster.

This is just personal opinion of course, but the only Glass CD I found to be interesting was the one that my college buddies and I used for a drink coaster.

Well, I WAS going to say that the only glass I really like is the one holding my 25 yr-old single malt scotch...

What?! No mention of Howard Shore? Shame on you. :P

Howard Shore is actually pretty good too ;) , but like Newman and Williams he's not the most diverse. I think Horner wins for expirimentation. But there's a lot to love out there.

Howard Shore is actually pretty good too ;) , but like Newman and Williams he's not the most diverse. I think Horner wins for expirimentation. But there's a lot to love out there.

I've only heard his soundtrack for Apollo 13, while an effective score, is still worse than the tritest of trite band music.

Thanks for the recommendations people... will check them out :thumbsup:

Even though I think Glass has become one of the most overrated composers ever, his early hardcore minimalist stuff is sort of interesting. Check out Einstein on the Beach or Music in 12 parts; these pieces were very radical and audacious at the time. After that (from 1980 onwards) his style began to change and Glass, blinded by the success of his doodly-diddly arpeggios, began to repeat himself. Since then, he has produced nothing but mindnumbing doodly-diddly earcandy of no musical substance. Sad to see what public success has done to a once-talented composer.

Glass ...

...began to repeat himself.

HAHAHA

sorry, that was unintentionally funny...:D

Kooyanisqatsi and Naqoyqatsi.

Metamorphosis.

Einstein on the beach.

Glass, blinded by the success of his doodly-diddly arpeggios, began to repeat himself. Since then, he has produced nothing but mindnumbing doodly-diddly earcandy of no musical substance. Sad to see what public success has done to a once-talented composer.

I kinda agree that Glass doesn't have much substance. I personally can enjoy it as background music, but it's not particularly interesting.