Glass: Einstein on the Beach (1993 Recording)

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Free Music Notes for Glass: Einstein on the Beach (1993 Recording)

Free Music Review: Awe Inspiring
Hit: 5 Stars

I had the pleasure and privilege of seeing the Met premier of EOB in 1976, and then the Brooklyn Academy of Music version last decade. Although listening to the music certainly gives you a good general idea of Glass' output and of the power of this specific piece, seeing it first hand is another matter altogether. First off, the Wilson visuals for EOB are, in themselves, a breakwater in American theatrical/operatic staging and production. The Act IV, Scene II image of the bed (pictured on the cover of the Nonsuch recording) taking twenty or so minutes to imperceptibly lift off of the stage, then float up and out of site remains one of the most indelible images in all my years of viewing opera/theater. The combination of the visuals and the music exponentially raises the emotional and visceral level of the experience to a transcedent level. I remember, after experiencing the preceeding overwhelming four or so hours of the opera, during which I passed from amazement through utter astonishment to total epiphany, actually weeping during the final Knee Play as Mr. Johnson read aloud his text "Two lovers sat on a park bench....".

As for the recordings themselves, the earlier Sony recording really does convey the sense of that immediacy and visceral astonishment that attends the live opera. Yes, it's not a "note perfect" performance (far from it), but you really have a sense of what it's like to be watching the visuals, the musicians down in the pit area valiently striving to perform this incredibly demanding music - you can almost imagine hearing the heavy breathing of the dancers on the stage as the complex and acrobatic movement by Wilson puts them through their paces. On the other hand, Glass and his group did (rather early on) perform EOB in a "concert setting." The Nonsuch recording has much more of this feel, more note perfect and cooler, as the musicians aren't reacting to the excitement being created by the staging and movement.

Most importantly, if you haven't seen the opera, and if they ever drag it out and tour it again, absolutely expend whatever efforts are necessary (travel, etc.) to see this opera live. It will be well worth the expense and energy.

Glass: Einstein on the Beach (1993 Recording) Poster

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