This CD presents several piano works by
Philip Glass, played with grace and enthusiasm by
Aleck Karis. Wichita Vortex Sutra (1988) was inspired by the poem of the same title by
Allen Ginsburg from 1966, which alternates between images of a road across the U.S. and a protest against the war in Vietnam. The basis of the music is a simple Protestant-like hymn tune with chromatic passing tones. This is treated to rhythmic syncopation and, at other times, is surrounded by quickly arpeggiated patterns. The Metamorphosis (1988), with the title from
Kafka's famous work, is in five movements. Each movement has simple melodies and a simple set of chords, usually four in number, with chromatic changes between them. These "changes" happen through the addition of a chord or other simple alteration. The pieces are moved along to the accompaniment of a plain two-note rotating figure. In Mad Rush (1981), various doublings and polyrhythms are superimposed and then subtracted at various points, which gives a rushing or slowing effect without any actual change in tempo. Opening (1982) is similar to other Glass pieces with flowing rhythms, but has a rich series of quite lovely chord progressions. The concluding Modern Love Waltz (1977) has an arpeggio-like melody over a Spanish fandango-like alternation of two major chords up and down a minor second (A major to B flat major).