SONGS

Released in 2021, 'Songs' represents a late-career distillation of Philip Glass's vocal writing. The album is bifurcated into two distinct cycles: 'Songs of Milarepa' and 'Three Songs for Baritone & Piano'. The former was originally commissioned for the 1997 celebration of the Dalai Lama's birthday, based on the life of the 11th-century Tibetan poet-saint. The latter features excerpts from Glass's larger stage works, including 'Hydrogen Jukebox' (a collaboration with Allen Ginsberg) and 'Monsters of Grace' (featuring the poetry of Rumi). This specific recording emphasizes the chamber-music intimacy of these pieces, highlighting the interplay between Glass's trademark arpeggiated piano structures and the lyrical, often declamatory style of the baritone. While Glass is often associated with grand cinematic scores, this album serves as a vital document of his ability to create immense emotional depth through minimal means, focusing on themes of spiritual transcendence and the nature of existence.