The summer in NYC is all about FREE concerts! Our pockets and purses can attest that we’re in somewhat of a recession; therefore, it would be in our best interest to take advantage of some of our hard-earned tax dollars this city allocates for these concerts and attend FREE events. With that thought in mind, I proceeded to buy two slices of pizza & a bottle of water and started my journey over to the Bandshell in Prospect Park [entrance on Prospect Park West & 9th St]. After trekking for just over 30 minutes through the park while swatting off mosquitoes, I approached the Bandshell but it seemed as though everyone around me was in some sort of trance. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the stage & overhead projector like moths to a flame, there was very little movement and as I walked closer to the stage, it all seemed to make sense -- they were hypnotized by the genius of world-renowned music composer, Philip Glass. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Philip Glass Ensemble, I’ll give you a brief rundown but do yourself a favor and get up on it!
Philip Glass is one of the most influential musical geniuses of the century who has created numerous operas, symphonies, concertos, and musical scores that are timeless classics. His ensemble consists of a few musicians on keyboards and woodwind instruments all amplified through a mixer. On this particular night, the ensemble performed the musical score of Powaqqatsi [1988] conducted and written by Philip Glass himself. It is the second installment of the Quatsi trilogy written by Godfrey Reggio, which portrays the lives of inhabitants in third world countries conducting daily rituals. Although the documentary is a silent film depicting natural landscapes, religious scenes, villages, and children all shown in slow motion, Glass’ score is the musical force that drives the documentary. The percussive sounds and repetitious phrasing of his composition complemented Reggio’s work thus proving why Glass is often referred to as a “minimalist”. Although he’d rather view himself as a composer of “music with repetitive structures,” I believe it’s simply the product of sheer genius because sometimes less is more. This was an amazing performance --almost like the movie Fantasia-- and should the opportunity presents itself where you have the chance to see the Philip Glass Ensemble, you should definitely take advantage. Trust me…his musical style never falls on deaf ears. You’ll absolutely love it!
~Introducing Dre (News and Events blogger for BK BOYEEZ)
Philip Glass is one of the most influential musical geniuses of the century who has created numerous operas, symphonies, concertos, and musical scores that are timeless classics. His ensemble consists of a few musicians on keyboards and woodwind instruments all amplified through a mixer. On this particular night, the ensemble performed the musical score of Powaqqatsi [1988] conducted and written by Philip Glass himself. It is the second installment of the Quatsi trilogy written by Godfrey Reggio, which portrays the lives of inhabitants in third world countries conducting daily rituals. Although the documentary is a silent film depicting natural landscapes, religious scenes, villages, and children all shown in slow motion, Glass’ score is the musical force that drives the documentary. The percussive sounds and repetitious phrasing of his composition complemented Reggio’s work thus proving why Glass is often referred to as a “minimalist”. Although he’d rather view himself as a composer of “music with repetitive structures,” I believe it’s simply the product of sheer genius because sometimes less is more. This was an amazing performance --almost like the movie Fantasia-- and should the opportunity presents itself where you have the chance to see the Philip Glass Ensemble, you should definitely take advantage. Trust me…his musical style never falls on deaf ears. You’ll absolutely love it!
~Introducing Dre (News and Events blogger for BK BOYEEZ)
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