The Voyage: An Opera In Three Acts

See Larger Image	List Price: £19.99 Our Price: £15.69 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: Orange Mountain Average Customer Rating:


Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0801837001723 Label: Orange Mountain Manufacturer: Orange Mountain Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Orange Mountain Release Date: 2006-10-02 Running Time: 136 Studio: Orange Mountain
Related Items Glass - Harpsichord Concerto; Piano Concerto No 2 Symphony No.8 The Witches of Venice (+book) The Concerto Project - Vol. 1 (Schwarz, Rlpo, Webber) Orion
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: long overdue: a phenomenal opera Comment: Fans have been waiting for a long time, almost 15 years. But at last this first recording of 'The Voyage' has become available. I heard this opera for the first time when it was broadcasted on Dutch radio some weeks after the American premiere. I had a cassette tape running, to preserve it for future listening. Unfortunately this live version was not flawless (some performers missed their cues), and my tape had to be reversed in the middle of the great final scene of the first act. But it was beautiful, with a strong story line, humorous as well as dramatic scenes, and some very, very strong choral music. And I've been playing it ever since, while checking frequently whether a cd-version was available yet. And now it is. Not the original American production, but the one premiered in Europe in 2002. Not a live version, but studio quality. I do not agree with those people who keep on ranking everything 'modern' composed by Glass lower than earlier works, which are almost given mythical status. Yes, 'Satyagraha' and 'Akhnaten' are formidable works. But in my opinion, Philip Glass' compositions are 'work in progress': his music keeps evolving and maturing, exploring new grounds. Never losing the quintessential Glass-fingerprint, it almost always yields new and inspiring melodies. So: 'The Voyage' in my opinion is one of Glass' best works. This recording doesn't always convince me in the choice of voices (especially the male ones), but the orchestra and choir are giving an excellent performance. The music is awe-inspiring and sometimes sweeps you off your feet. I already mentioned the last scene of Act I; but listen to scene 1, Act II as well. It is really beautifully done. Yes, all Glass fans should have this recording in their collection. And for those who are not acquainted with the opera's of Glass, it is perhaps the best introduction to them. After all, for most people this kind of music will always be an acquired taste. But once you've acquired it, you're addicted to it. Customer Rating: Summary: Not Glass's best, but better than anyone else Comment: Although not Glass's greatest opera (that title remains with 'Akhnaten' or 'Satyagraha'), this is still a monumental work. All the trademark Glass's trademark touches are there, the chugging chords and rippling arpeggios, but these are leavened by the harmonic freedom typical of his mature work. Although some of the vocal parts are at times underpowered, Glass's choral scoring is among his best. The spaceage parts of the Opera are suitably futuristic, and his Columbus section features some charming latin pastiche. Lush, lyrical and potent, this is good enough to confound even Glass's most trenchant critics. More Reviews