Heart of Glass

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1.)  Philip Glass- Opening/Floe

a.    Philip Glass has this amazing talent for taking absolute chaos and containing it into a tiny, neat little minimalist package. His works can drive people insane, and at the same time cure insanity. I have found emotional sanctuary in the repetitive, yet touching notes he writes. Glass is able to change the entire song while maintaining the exact same concept throughout. I see it as a predecessor to techno, repetitious with subtle progression.

                                              i.     These two particular pieces from 'Glassworks' are striking to me. ‘Opening’ is appropriately titled, it’s a river of passion, trickling along piano keys introducing something you would not expect. I have heard many piano works, but none stay with me as much as this one. He manages to just hit the right chord (pun intended) with me, as if he is expressing something that I could never relay into words. A certain thing that I feel every time I look at the mountains, every time I see the sun set over the ocean, and every time I drive through rural areas. It tells a story without ever speaking a word, and the repetition allows you to reflect within yourself; to really think about an emotional reaction rather than just having it. As it fades out, it hangs a low note, which leads the listener quietly into ‘Floe’. And what a complete 180…while yes, it is still Glass, and still repetitious, it’s a completely different musical perspective. It sounds like it came from the future, or from some far reach of outer space. The use of electronic keyboard combined with the classic orchestra is incomparable. The first time I heard this I felt like I was spinning through a black hole. The turmoil of my mind was suddenly solved through music. Most people think it sounds weird, or too arty, and well, it does. And that is what is so fucking awesome about it. The vocalist isn’t even saying a damn thing. She is literally just repeating basic scales.  Around 3 minutes and 11 seconds, he breaks it right back down and reveals all of the layers to you, one by one. Starting with the beginning low note of whatever instrument it is, and then showing you little glimpses of his soul. Whatever it is about these two pieces, they make me feel alive; they express something for me that I could never express for myself. Enjoy.