Glass: Satyagraha

I am a recent Glass fan, having only recently, in 2010, heard any of his music (other than the film Koyannisquatsi back in the 80s). An instructor in a painting workshop I took played Glass' Solo Piano album while we painted, and I was enthralled. It's still my favorite of his, that is, until I saw Satyagraha a couple of weeks ago on the Met HD big screen at my local theatre.I have been an opera lover since the 70s, and am very traditional in my likes and dislikes. I love the bel canto and other Italian, French and German 19th-20th century works, Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti, Wagner, Strauss etc -- the traditional operas. I've also very much enjoyed Shoenberg's music, and Weill's as well.But I was really not prepared to like Glass's opera, because I am so traditional in my opera favorites.Well, I was just blown away. I'm not musically educated formally, so I can't explain why I loved it, or which things about it I loved, except to say that the experience in the theatre for me felt very holistic, in that I felt surrounded and held, cradled almost, by a sea of music, which swept me along with it. I've felt this sensation for various parts of the traditional operas I'm familiar with, being emotionally swept away in a beautiful passage, like any other music fan. But Glass's opera swept me completely out to sea from the very first note, and I didn't touch the shore again till it was over-- it was absolutely amazing.I immediately afterward bought this NYC Opera's CD version, which for me almost exactly reproduces the holistic experience I felt in the theatre, and I highly recommend it.In addition to the music, the Met outdid itself with the staging, costuming, and choreography, all the areas that they are so good act. It was just a very complete esthetic experience.Unfortunately, the only DVD extant, from the Stuttgart opera I believe, gets very bad reviews for the bad video, so the NYC CD is perhaps the best choice for listening, and it really is a wonderful recreation of the music.

The first question one asks when encountering this CD reissue is why, exactly, Sony gives it three discs instead of two. Yes, it is an opera in three parts, and to fit it onto two CDs one would have to divide part 2, but you could have divided it any way you want. Oh well, I can hardly make that any big issue. A much more serious drawback is the lack of libretto. We get a synopsis in three languages, but that is not enough. In fact, we do not get a single word on the music either, nor on the composer or any of the performers - you would expect that even for a budget reissue.So what about the music? Satyagraha was composed in 1979, loosely based on the life of Mohandas Gandhi. It is a good example of a minimalist opera; the music is repetitive, usually straightforwardly tonal and with simple themes, which makes the well-planned changes and juxtapositions very effective. In fact, the overall effect is quite hypnotic at times and the cumulative effect is indeed powerful. Satyagraha is also an opera that works very well as an auditory experience (or it would have if we had been given the libretto). Each scene appears to illustrate a single set and mood, and the most obviously effective and immediately striking parts are found in Act two.That said, Satyagraha is much more uncompromising and dry than, say, the CIVIL warS - the latter, which is more obviously colorful and extravagant, would, I think, appeal to anyone whereas Satyagraha does require some affinity with Glass's brand of minimalism. The performances strike me as overall excellent, especially the important choral parts, though one could, perhaps, sometimes come to suspect that the Orchestra of New York City Opera is somewhat unsure about the idiom and sometimes tend to approach it as a traditional, classical opera score. The sound is a little dry but overall very good. In sum, then, this is a recommendable performance of a fascinating work, even if it is not the work I would recommend to newcomers to minimalism or Philip Glass. The main drawback - and it is a deeply serious one - is the presentation. As with Sony's Opera House series in general the packaging looks cheap and boring, and the absence of a libretto or information about the music is unforgivable.

I bought this and the recording of  akhnaten  on the strength of the recordings on  Philip Glass: Songs from the Trilogy .I already knew Einstein on the Beach, and liked much of it. It was the pieces from Satyagraha and Akhnaten that really moved me. I have no regrets. The sound on both recordings is excellent. There is one common disappointment with both CDs, they both have limited liner notes. An oratorio in an ancient language would benefit from more explanation. That said, the music is stellar.Satyagraha doesn't disappoint. The recording is intense and precise. This is a work largely carried by the voices, and the vocalists are excellent! The score is the foundation and roiling sea behind which the voices unfold, caress, and soar. Like Akhnaten this bridges Glass' earlier ensemble work and his later orchestral work. Where Akhnaten is closer in timbre to his later symphonies, Satyagraha incorporates the organ and some styles more recognizable from 'Einstein on the beach' and his other ensemble work, to great effect.One of Philip Glass most powerful compositions. Definitely a favorite of mine now.

Moving, inventive, majestic music from end to end of this masterwork. This music will be played, heard, and loved by people all over the world, long after the critics who "minimalize" the genius of Glass are dead and well forgotten. Please excuse the pun.But all seriousness aside, this is deeply moving and multi-layered music with a social message that resonates to this very moment in time. See it if you can, I think it's in London now and will be in L.A. this autumn. And if your eyes are still dry when Gandhi sings his Evening Song below the figure of MLK, then you're a stronger man than I am.

Bought this 3 disk album to see whether I liked the music before committing to the English National Opera's performance of this work at the Coliseum, London in February 2018. The music is typical early Philip Glass which you need to be a committed fan to enjoy. It appears difficult for an orchestra to perform but wonderful to listen to. There are a number of structural similarities to the later produced opera, Akhnaten and it is difficult to tell which is the better of the two. Act 2, Scene 1 of Satyagraha is the highlight, nearly 15 minutes of "pure" Glass. Can't wait until next year's visit to the live performance.

OK, I'm no expert on music nor can I read the funny symbols on 5 lines, but I am a fan of Glass and have listened to many of his compositions. I must say this is one of my favourites, it's just awesome. I can't help you if you are not a fan of his music because I admit to being somewhat biased. However, if you do have a tendency to like Glass's music, get these CD's - you will not be disappointed.

I saw English National Opera's wonderful production of this opera recently and just loved the whole production so had to get hold of a recording of this beautiful music. Very few recordings available and all others were horrifically expensive - more than the cost of a top price seat at the Coliseum plus my train fare! I was worried that this would be a naff recording as it was so reasonably priced compared to all others on offer - my fears were unfounded, it is a great recording and was delivered promptly and in perfect condition ... no complaints here. I shall probably never get another chance to see this fabulous, rarely-performed opera live, so this cd will enable me to re-live the experience.

Love this Glass opera. I don't have a single issue with the recording's sound or quality, all seems good to me, which is great news as this is the only recording available of Satyagraha. The brochure has a synopsis for each act and scene, but there's no libretto, which is probably enough for most people.

I bought this because I was forced to leave a performance before the end and wanted to see and hear the last act. I could not find a dvd but this cd is good although not quite as good as the bit of performance that I missed. The package arrived promptly and in good condition.