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 Despite huge success (or maybe because of it), contemporary composer Philip Glass is often dismissed as a competent if unintuitive musician. His works in the form of operas, symphonies, compositions and other collaborations will have been heard by most people either in their own right or as soundtracks to award-winning films. And it's no coincidence that director Scott Hicks (Shine) has chosen the notoriously 'difficult' Glass as his subject matter.
In July 2005, Hicks started shooting a documentary about the composer Philip Glass to celebrate his 70th anniversary in 2007. Over the next 18 months, Scott followed Philip across three continents - from his annual ride on the Coney Island “Cyclone” roller coaster, to the world premiere of his new opera in Germany and in performance with a didgeridoo virtuoso in Australia.
Allowed unprecedented access to Glass’ working process, family life, spiritual teachers and long time collaborators, Hicks gives us a unique glimpse behind the curtain into the life of a surprising and complex man. “GLASS: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts” is a remarkable mosaic portrait of one of the greatest - and at times controversial - artists of this or any era.
Having listened to most if not all of the works of Philip Glass in the past, what this documentary offers is an insight into how they came about. There is a dreamy quality to most of his best compositions and a deliberate repetition to them. That's not to say they all sound the same, just that the method used by Glass to reach the audience is to give them a familiar framework from which to build. Various contributors to this film help explain and examine this with Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen elaborating on the impact Glass has had. Ravi Shankar who had something of a resurgence thanks to the wonderful Violin and Sitar concertos also offers insight, however it is the 1960's work with various pop/rock artists that is most revelatory.
Philip Glass is well aware of his critics: "I still have a very solid, strong hate faction." He also doesn´t care: "Go listen to something else. You have my blessing."
Extras:
This is a two-disc release.
Disc One features a Director´s Commentary along with nine deleted/extended scenes (22 min. total) and a trailer.
Disc Two is divided into two sections.
First, there are three Interviews with Philip Glass with a total running time of 110 minutes.
The interviews were recorded, respectively, at Gramercy Park Hotel, Tibet House and The Met Opera House.
There are also four different Performances (71 min. total):
-"Dracula" – Glass and Michael Reisman rehearsal with the Kronos Quartet
-"Metamorphosis" – a solo piano performance in Melbourne
-"Orion" – with the Philip Glass ensemble and a host of featured artists
-"Einstein on the Beach" – Leigh Warren and dancers in rehearsal with the Adelaide Voice project Rating: **** Extras Rating: ***** Directed by: Scott Hicks
Runtime: 115mins
Featuring: Philip Glass, Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and Ravi Shankar
Release Date: July 6th
Certificate: N/A Review by: Cassam Looch |
