Philip Glass' Kepler @ BAM
This NYTimes review of Philip Glass' Kepler @ BAM hits many of the
right notes. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/arts/music/20kepler.html?_r=1 I attended the performance on Wed and was generally pleased. I found the music appealing in filmic and populist way...it is similar
to the Kundun soundtrack minus the deep lingering tones but has the
same swirling flutes. The playful and adventurous feel also reminded me of Danny Elfman's
film work and could have served easily as a Batman score. I admit I barely paid attention to the transcription of the words. I
found the content too heavy and clunky to worry about. Absent that
baggage, the music was a nice platform to let my mind wander and
scheme. I like the notion of this Kepler figure as the topic of the
performance. Supposedly he is credited with writing the first science
fiction novel and his mother was accused of being a witch. The work
was certainly spacing and ascendant. Visually at times some amber light on the orchestra melded with a very
polite projection of space on the back wall to give some lovely
effects. But is general the visuals were too tight and civil for my
tastes. I passionately hated the railing that stood behind the chorus. It was
exposed during the many time the chorus was absent. It created a
visual barrier between the orchestra which filled the stage and the
projections on the back wall. If seemed there for safety but negligent
in how it impacted the scene.
right notes. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/arts/music/20kepler.html?_r=1 I attended the performance on Wed and was generally pleased. I found the music appealing in filmic and populist way...it is similar
to the Kundun soundtrack minus the deep lingering tones but has the
same swirling flutes. The playful and adventurous feel also reminded me of Danny Elfman's
film work and could have served easily as a Batman score. I admit I barely paid attention to the transcription of the words. I
found the content too heavy and clunky to worry about. Absent that
baggage, the music was a nice platform to let my mind wander and
scheme. I like the notion of this Kepler figure as the topic of the
performance. Supposedly he is credited with writing the first science
fiction novel and his mother was accused of being a witch. The work
was certainly spacing and ascendant. Visually at times some amber light on the orchestra melded with a very
polite projection of space on the back wall to give some lovely
effects. But is general the visuals were too tight and civil for my
tastes. I passionately hated the railing that stood behind the chorus. It was
exposed during the many time the chorus was absent. It created a
visual barrier between the orchestra which filled the stage and the
projections on the back wall. If seemed there for safety but negligent
in how it impacted the scene.