Einstein
On The Beach
(2012 - 13/Glass & Wilson/Telmondis/Pomegranate Arts/Opus
Arte/Naxos Blu-ray DigiBook Set)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C Main Program: B
If
you're a fan of classical musician Philip Glass (the Qatsi
Trilogy)
then you will want to check out this gorgeous interpretive opera
Einstein
On The Beach
- which is an opera in four acts (framed and connected by five "knee
plays" or intermezzos), directed by theatrical producer Robert
Wilson. Choreography for the show is by Lucinda Childs and the
performance held at The Cha-te-let Theatre Musical de Paris, it is
now issued in a deluxe Blu-ray set down to the oversized packaging.
The
four-act opera requires a cast of two female, one male, and one male
child in speaking roles and a 16-person SATB chamber chorus with an
outstanding soprano soloist and a smaller tenor solo part; three reed
players: flute (doubling piccolo and bass clarinet), soprano
saxophone (doubling flute), tenor saxophone (doubling alto
saxophone); solo violin, and two synthesizers/electronic organs. The
orchestration was originally tailored to the five members of the
Philip Glass Ensemble, plus the solo violin. The result is
(admittedly repetitive) music that will hypnotically transport you
into Glass' world.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a 1.77:1 widescreen aspect ratio, the
film looks good on Blu-ray disc with deep blues and reds mixed with
highly contrasted blacks that pit you in the front row of the
audience. The 5.1 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless track makes you
feel like you are there with a dominating music track that's nicely
leveled with works are spoken. The acts are divided amongst two
Blu-ray with two acts per disc.
While
there aren't any extras on the discs themselves, there is beautiful
DigiBook packaging for this release that includes a 55-page insert
booklet in full color with linear notes and photos, rounding out a
gift-worthy release.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
