Glassworks
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For information on the manufacture of glass, see Glassblowing.
For the multi-use facility of glassblowing studios and galleries in Louisville, Kentucky, see Louisville Glassworks.
| Glassworks | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Chamber music by Philip Glass | ||
| Cast | 2fl, 2ssx (cl), 2tsx (bcl), 2hn, pf/syn, vla, vc | |
| Genre | Classical | |
| Period | Contemporary | |
| Style | Postmodern, minimalist | |
| Language | English | |
| Duration | 40' | |
| ISWC | T-070.067.582-6 | |
| Derivation | Original work | |
| Composed | 1981 | |
| Première | 1982, studio recording | |
| Publisher | Dunvagen Music Publishers | |
Glassworks is a chamber music work of six "movements" by Philip Glass. It is regarded as being a characteristically Glass-like work. Following his larger-scale concert and stage works, Glassworks was Philip Glass' successful attempt to create a more pop-oriented "Walkman-suitable" work, with considerably shorter and more accessible pieces written for the recording studio.
| “ | Glassworks was intended to introduce my music to a more general audience than had been familiar with it up to then. | ” |
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—Philip Glass [1] |
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[edit] Movements
- I. Opening (piano (hn)) 6'
- II. Floe (2fl, 2 ssx, 2 tsx, 2hn, syn) 7'
- III. Islands (2fl, 2 ssx, tsx, bcl, 2hn, vla, vc) 8'
- IV. Rubric (fl, ssx, tsx, 2hn, org) 6'
- V. Façades (2ssx, syn, vla, vc) 7' - This has its origins in the film score Koyaanisqatsi, but was ultimately not used in the film. It is often performed as a work in its own right (ISWC T-010.461.089-0).
- VI. Closing (fl, cl, bcl, hn, vla, vc, pno) 6' - A reprise of Opening.
[edit] "Opening"
"Opening" uses triplet eighth notes, over duple eighth notes, over whole notes in 4/4. Formally it consists of three groups of four measure phrases of three to four chords repeated four times each, ABC:||ABC, which then merges with the next movement, "Floe" with the entrance of the horns.
