Philip Glass(1937-): a Catalogue of the Orchestral and Choral Music

[Dundonnell]

Perhaps not "unsung" but a composer who has been discussed on this forum and who provokes some strong views I thought that it might be interesting therefore to see where Glass has got to by providing this chronological listing.

(OMM= Orange Mountain Music, Glass's own label)

PHILIP GLASS: A CATALOGUE OF THE ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL MUSIC

1963:    Convention Overture
1960s:  Arioso No.2 for string orchestra
1967:    Piece for chamber orchestra
1969/81:"Music in Similar Motion" for chamber orchestra: 12 minutes  + (OMM cd)
1981:    "Facades" for Two Saxophones(or Flutes) and String Orchestra: 7 minutes
                                    +  (several recordings)
1982:    "Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of Balance" for chorus, ensemble and orchestra
1983:    "Company" for string orchestra: 8 minutes      + (EMI, Virgin and Naxos cds)
              "Glass Pieces" for orchestra
              Prelude and dance from the Opera "Akhnaten" for orchestra:18 minutes       +  (Naxos cd)
1984:   "The Olympian: Lighting of the Torch and Closing" for orchestra and chorus: 5 minutes
             "the CIVIL warS – the Cologne Section"  for orchestra with optional mixed chorus
              Two Interludes from "the CIVIL warS – the Rome Section" for orchestra: 9 minutes     +  (Nonesuch cd)
1985:   "Phaedra" for string orchestra and percussion: 13 minutes
             "Runaway Horses from Mishima" for string orchestra and harp
1986:   "In the Upper Room" for chamber orchestra: 45 minutes
1987:    Violin Concerto No.1: 30 minutes  +  (DGG, Telarc, RCA and Naxos cds)
              "The Light"-a Symphonic Portrait for orchestra: 24 minutes  + (Nonesuch and Naxos cds)
1988:    "The Canyon"-a Symphonic Episode for orchestra: 18 minutes   + (Sony cd)
1989:    "Itaipu"-a Symphonic Portrait for chorus and orchestra: 38 minutes  +  (Sony cd)
1990:    "Passages" for chamber orchestra: 56 minutes
              "Mechanical Ballet" from the Opera "The Voyage" for orchestra  +  (Nonesuch cd)
1991:    Interlude from "Orphee" for chamber orchestra: 6 minutes  +  (Nonesuch cd)
1992:    Symphony No.1 "Low": 42 minutes   + (Phillips and Point Music cds)
              Concerto Grosso for chamber orchestra: 19 minutes   +  (OMM cd)
1994:    Symphony No.2: 40 minutes   +  (Nonesuch and Naxos cds)
             "Persephone(TSE)" for orchestra and chorus   +  (OMM cd)
1995:    Symphony No.3 for nineteen string players: 26 minutes   + (Nonesuch and Naxos cds)
              Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra: 23 minutes    + (Nonesuch cd)
             "Echorus" for Two Violins and String Orchestra: 7 minutes  +  (EMI cd)
             "Three Pieces from the Film The Secret Agent" for orchestra
1996:    Symphony No.4 "Heroes": 44 minutes   + (Phillips, Point Music and Naxos cds)
1997:    "Days and Nights in Rocinha"- Dance for Orchestra: 20 minutes  +  (OMM cd)
              "Songs of Milarepa" for baritone and chamber orchestra: 25 minutes
1998:    Psalm 126 for orchestra with chorus: 5 minutes
1999:    Symphony No.5 "Choral" for soloists, chorus and orchestra: 101 minutes     +  (Nonesuch cd)
              DRA Fanfare for orchestra: 2 minutes
2000:    Piano Concerto No.1 "Tirol Concerto" for piano and string orchestra: 27 minutes     + (OMM cd)
              Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra: 27 minutes  + (Albany and OMM cds)
2001:    Symphony No.6 "Plutonian Ode" for soprano and orchestra: 45 minutes     + (OMM cd)
              Cello Concerto No.1: 20 minutes   + (OMM cd)
            "Dancissimo" for orchestra: 11 minutes
2002:    Harpsichord Concerto: 20 minutes   +  (OMM cd)
2002/12:Cello Concerto no.2 "Naqoyqatsi"
2004:    Symphony No.7 "Toltec" for chorus and orchestra: 37 minutes  +  (OMM cd)
              Piano Concerto No.2 "After Lewis and Clark" for piano, native american flute and orchestra: 34 minutes   + (OMM cd)
2005:    Symphony No.8: 39 minutes  +   (Nonesuch and OMM cds)
2006:   "The Passion of Ramakrishna" for chorus and orchestra: 40 minutes
2009:    Violin Concerto No.2 "The American Four Seasons": 38 minutes     + (OMM cd)
2010:    Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra: 32 minutes   + (OMM cd)
              "Icarus at the Edge of Time" for narrator and orchestra
2010-11:Symphony No.9   +  (OMM cd)
2011:    Symphony No.10
             "Harmonium Mountain" for orchestra
             "Black and White Scherzo" for orchestra

[alberto]

Just a tiny mention:
The Prelude and Dance from Akhnaten (timing about 18') exist on Naxos (coupled to Vn. Concerto n.1 and Company).

[Dundonnell]

Thanks, alberto I can always rely on you to keep me right

[alberto]

Another reflection (not certainly a remark).
As Glass approach to genres and forms is heterodox, or flexible, or variable in periods, to put together this catalogue is a very difficult task (and I thank Colin a lot, as for his others catalogues).
Anyway I suggest the catalogue (as includes the first and the third) should include also the second of the so-called "Qatsi trilogy" : the 1988 "Powaqatsi" or "life in transformation": these are not soundtracks, but music meant to be performed  live during the showing of the three "Qatsi" films (by director Godfrey Reggio).
The three "Qatsi" exist on DVD; the third also on CD alone.
I have seen all of them with the infaticable Glass performing with his ensemble (the chorus was pre-recorded; there was "physically" a small vocal ensemble). Also in 2005 all three in three evenings (always seeing that Glass -himself a very kind and friendly person- has - apart from members from the usual classic music audience- his own (huge) audience).
Almost the same arguments suggest the inclusion in the catalogue of the (different) "Cocteau Trilogy": Orpheè (1993), La Belle et la Bete (1995) , "Les Enfants Terribles" (1996) : here the music is intended (but I know only the second) to "double" ancient (but not silent) films.
I have seen Glass and his ensemble performing only the second (and I have the Nonesuch Cds).