Symphony No. 9
by Philip Glass
PeriodContemporary
StylePostmodern, minimalist
FormSymphony
Composed2011 (2011)[1]
PublisherDunvagen Music Publishers[2]
Duration50 minutes[1]
Premiere
DateJanuary 1, 2012 (2012-01-01)[2]
LocationBrucknerhaus in Linz, Austria
ConductorDennis Russell Davies
PerformersBruckner Orchester Linz

Symphony No. 9 is Philip Glass's ninth symphony. It was written between 2010 and 2011.[2] It is written in 3 movements.[2] The work was jointly commissioned by the Bruckner Orchester Linz, Carnegie Hall, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.[2]

The symphony premiered January 1, 2012 at Brucknerhaus in Linz, Austria, with the Bruckner Orchester Linz conducted by Dennis Russell Davies.[2] The piece received its United States premiere January 31, 2012 at Carnegie Hall, with Dennis Russell Davies conducting the American Composers Orchestra.[2] It premiered on the West Coast April 5, 2012, with John Adams conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic.[2]

Reception

The symphony has been highly regarded by critics and quickly became a bestseller on iTunes following its U.S. premiere.[3]

Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times lauded the work, declaring it "late Glass at his most momentous, a significant symphony by America’s most significant symphonist."[4] Richard S. Ginell of Variety also praised the work, saying, "The 50-minute-plus Ninth is not Glass’s biggest symphony – that would be the 97-minute, choral Fifth – but it is one of his more imposing pieces, three sprawling movements for a very large symphony orchestra."[5] Andrew Clements of The Guardian was slightly more critical, but commended the work, noting, "If the music occasionally hangs fire, its craftsmanship, as ever with Glass, is exemplary."[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Philip Glass : Symphony No. 9
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Symphony No.9 Archived 2012-04-22 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Taylor, James C. (February 2, 2012). "Philip Glass, 75, has an iTunes hit with his Ninth Symphony". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  4. ^ Swed, Mark (April 6, 2012). "Music review: The L.A. Phil plays John Adams and Philip Glass". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  5. ^ Ginell, Richard S. (April 7, 2012). "Review: 'Philip Glass: Symphony No. 9'". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  6. ^ Clements, Andrew (June 14, 2012). "Glass: Symphony No 9 – review". The Guardian. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
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