The Los Angeles Philharmonic continues its ongoing series of world premieres for its 100th anniversary with three concerts conducted by composer John Adams. Though it is not Adams who has the world premiere. Philip Glass has composed his third, and final, symphony based on the trio of Davie Bowie/Brian Eno collaborations. His Symphony #12: Lodger will have its first performance on Thursday, January 10th. There will two additional performances on the 11th and 13th. Thus these concerts are called Adams and Glass.
Glass has composed two previous symphonies inspired by the other Bowie/Eno collaborations. His first symphony in 1992 was inspired by Low.
His 4th symphony in 1996 was inspired by Heroes.
The Glass work is the second half of the program. Opening the concerts is Tumblebird Contrails by Gabriella Smith. That will be followed by Adams’s Grand Pianola Music. That work received equal parts rapturous praise and intense condemnation when it first premiered in 1982. Since then it’s reputation has grown considerably.
Grand Pianola Music is a three-part composition that finds Parts 1A and 1B played one after the other without pause. That is followed by the third section called On the Great Divide. It is a large scale work that calls for two pianists (Marc-André Hamelin and Orli Shaham), an organist (James McVinnie), a vocalist (Angélique Kidjo) and a trio of singers (Zanaida Robles and Holly Sedillos – sopranos; Kristen Toedtman – mezzo-soprano).
This is one of the most exciting concerts early in 2019 and one not-to-be-missed.
The night before the first of these concerts, Marc-André Hamelin will be performing the Dvorak Piano Quintet #2 in A Major with members of the LA Phil in a concert that also includes Dvorak’s String Quartet #13 and Penderecki’s Duo Concertante for violin e contrabasso.
Check back for our interview with Hamelin about all the work he’s doing this week at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Image of Philip Glass courtesy of PhilipGlass.com
Lodger Album cover courtesy of DavidBowie.com