Philip Glass: Einstein on the Beach [1978 recording] (1979)

This opera, composed in 1975 and premiered in 1976, is scored for four principal actors, 12 singers doubling as dancers and actors, a solo violinist, and an amplified ensemble of keyboards, winds and voices. It is imbued with the postmodern spirit both in its non-linear, poetic, mystic narrative and the floating, eternal world created by the shifting, mathematically precise patterns of Philip Glass' modal music. There are three primary visual sets linked to three musical themes that recur within the work: trains (recalling ... Read More

This opera, composed in 1975 and premiered in 1976, is scored for four principal actors, 12 singers doubling as dancers and actors, a solo violinist, and an amplified ensemble of keyboards, winds and voices. It is imbued with the postmodern spirit both in its non-linear, poetic, mystic narrative and the floating, eternal world created by the shifting, mathematically precise patterns of Philip Glass' modal music. There are three primary visual sets linked to three musical themes that recur within the work: trains (recalling the metaphors Einstein used to illustrate the theory of relativity, and with which he played as a child), a trial setting (modern life and modern science examined), and a spaceship (a metaphor for transcendence, and/or an escape from nuclear disaster). Also, Einstein himself appears midway between the orchestra and the stage as a violinist (his hobby) and as observer/witness. There are also additional spoken texts written by Christopher Knowles, Samuel M. Johnson and Lucinda Childs, which appear in various arrangements for single and multiple voices. This work locates itself as a midpoint between the composer's early-'70s work, linking rhythmic and harmonic structures and his later series of operas and vocal works and film scores employing expanded narrative and/or timbral experiments. ~ "Blue" Gene Tyranny, Rovi Read Less

• All from $20.84
• New Music from $56.43
• Used Music from $20.84
• Collectible from $56.43

• All Copies (4)
• CD (2)
• Choose Release (3)

• Music Details
• Seller
• Sort U.K./EUR Sellers Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Condition Condition: Reverse Release Date Release Date: Rev Sellers Near Me

• CD, Fair 1993, Nonesuch UPC: 075597932324 See Item Details ▾

  Goodwill Books BEST Hillsboro, OR, USA

  $20.84 $39.98 Add to Basket

  	Edition: 1993, Nonesuch CD, Fair	Details: UPC: 075597932324 Discs: 4 Label: Nonesuch Released: 1993 Alibris ID: 17754522665	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.48 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Fair. May have light surface scratches. Case and artwork are included but their condition may vary.
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

• CD, New 1990, CBS Masterworks UPC: 074643887526 See Item Details ▾

  insomniacsonline BEST South Hackensack, NJ, USA

  $56.43 $68.98 Add to Basket

  	Edition: 1990, CBS Masterworks CD, New	Details: UPC: 074643887526 Discs: 4 Label: CBS Masterworks Released: 12/1985 Alibris ID: 17544706303	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.48 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: New. Size: 5x10x2; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

• CD, Very Good 1993, Nonesuch UPC: 075597932324 See Item Details ▾

  THE OREGON ROOM HIGH Phoenix, OR, USA

  $40.95 Add to Basket

  	Edition: 1993, Nonesuch CD, Very Good	Details: UPC: 075597932324 Discs: 4 Label: Nonesuch Released: 09/1993 Alibris ID: 16239366742	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.48 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: Very Good. 3 CDs are Near Mint, case & booklet & slipcase have some wear.
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

2015, Sony Classical UPC: 886979851528 CD See All from $27.46	1993, Nonesuch UPC: 075597932324 CD See All from $20.84
1990, CBS Masterworks UPC: 074643887526 CD See All from $56.43