Tim Fain plays Philip Glass: Partita for Solo Violin

Released in 2015, this album represents a significant collaboration between Philip Glass and violinist Tim Fain, who has become one of the primary contemporary interpreters of Glass's work. The centerpiece is the 'Partita for Solo Violin,' a multi-movement work that echoes the tradition of Bach's solo sonatas and partitas while remaining firmly rooted in Glass's minimalist language. The recording is notable for its 'dry' production, which eschews heavy reverb in favor of a detailed, intimate capture of Fain's technique. Beyond the Partita, the inclusion of 'Knee 2' from 'Einstein on the Beach' provides a fascinating look at how Glass's early, more aggressive minimalism can be adapted for solo performance. Critically, the album was praised for Fain's technical stamina and his ability to find the lyrical heart within Glass's demanding, repetitive structures, cementing his status as a definitive voice in modern classical performance.