Philip Glass

Item: Naqoyqatsi
Author: Marie Asner

Naqoyqatsi

(2002)

Reviewed by Marie Asner

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Label Sony ClassicalThe Phantom Tollbooth2003

classical experimental new age

Naqoyqatsi is the last of a film trilogy by Godfrey Reggio that began with Koyaanisqatsi in 1983 and proceeded to Powaqqatsi in 1988. Reggio's films consist of hundreds of images that show what people have done to Planet Earth. Titles are from the Hopi Indian language, showing balance awry, transitory states, and war, respectively.

Composer Philip Glass (The Hours) did the soundtrack for these films. If Godfrey Reggio is telling us through the title that man is a warlike person, then Glass certainly shows that through his music. However, in this case, one needs to see the film in order to understand the music. The saving grace for Naqoyqatsi is cello soloist Yo-Yo Ma, who brings light to wherever Glass places him. Otherwise, this long repetitive CD could serve as background music for most any activity.

The first selection, "Naqoyqatsi," has a flowing undercurrent similar to The Hours' themes. Yo-Yo Ma's solo is a highlight, alternating with a deep male choral chant. The third selection, "Massman" also has a cello solo against a background of strings, but is melancholy, as is most of the CD.

A bright spot is "New World" where a violin solo has an engaging melody. "Religion" needs images to highlight the music; otherwise, it is an exercise in percussion instruments. "Media Weather," on the other hand, sounds as though it should be a "religious piece." It is meditative and uses cello, strings and keyboard. Another bright spot is "Old World" which has a Native American flavor including flute.

"Intensive Time" and "The Vivid Unknown" have rapid undercurrents of strings with the cello riding atop this background. The last track on this CD, "Definition," sums up the collective of music.

Some music critics downplay Philip Glass, calling his music boring and repetitive. This reviewer, on the other hand, compares his style to Michael Nyman (The Piano). Glass uses Michael Riesman for keyboard solos (The Hours) and Riesman's eloquent phrasing makes the piano music enjoyable to hear. In Naqoyqatsi, if you get the soundtrack first, you may be disappointed. However, if you see the film first, you can appreciate how the images and music blend.