Cluster Ensemble Unleashes Three-Disc Set of Early Philip Glass Compositions

Minimalist masters Cluster Ensemble pay tribute to avant-garde great Philip Glass with their latest album, a voluminous three-disc collection called Cluster Ensemble Plays Philip Glass.

Cluster Ensemble, self-identified as an "interdisciplinary art group" on their website, first started performing in 2008. The loosely-organized ensemble centers around pianists and directors, Ivan Šiller and Pero Király. Plays Philip Glass is the group's first album, released earlier this summer on Slovak label Hevhetia Records and in the United States via Orange Mountain Music.

In a recent review of the work from the Guardian, music journalist Andrew Clements praises the ensemble's sequential presentation of Glass' revered early compositions, calling attention to their faithful but eye-opening rendition of a critical, primeval Glass piece:

"The chronological set begins with what is perhaps the most severely 'minimal' piece. In the 28-minute long 'Two Pages' for two keyboards, from 1968, a succession of five pitches is repeated without break, while being shortened, extended or reordered according to a defining set of rules, so the music seems to be simultaneously unchanging and in constant flux."

Indie beacon Pitchfork also reviewed the Plays set, highlighting the album's third disc -- that which is entirely comprised of a singular 1971 composition from Glass:

"The third CD here is devoted to the magnum opus of this Glass period. 'Music with Changing Parts' builds on the harmonic invention of 'Similar Motion' by giving instrumentalists the option of contributing sustained pitches drawn from its modes, a choice that adds a contrasting sense of calm, as the rest of the ensemble motors along."

If you're a Glass fan, be sure to check out Cluster Ensemble Plays Philip Glass. The music is available directly from the band or wherever fine music is sold. Fans of contemporary classical music will surely not be disappointed with this endearing set.

For more information on the Cluster Ensemble, please visit www.cluster-ensemble.com.

We want to hear from you. Were you aware of Cluster Ensemble's latest Glass tribute album? Do you have a favorite Philip Glass piece? Let us know in the comments section below.

TagsCluster Ensemble, Philip Glass