Glass, Philip
Itaipu/canyon (2lp)
'Itaipu', written by American composer Philip Glass, were commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Along with 'The Light' (1987), they marked Glass's continuation of a symphonic trilogy of "portraits of nature" as he had recently turned to making orchestral music. The composition pays a beautiful homage to the Itaipu Dam, which is the world's largest hydroelectric dam built on the Paraná River between Paraguay and Brazil. The text was written in Guaraní, and translated by Daniela Thomas. The piece was first performed in 1989. This LP also includes 'The Canyon' on the D-side, which was first performed in 1988 and commissioned by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Comes on 180 gram vinyl.