Glass (composition)
"Glass" | ||||
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Philip Johnson Glass House; New Canaan, Connecticut | ||||
Genre | Ambient | |||
Length | 36:58 | |||
Label | NOTON | |||
Producer |
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Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto chronology | ||||
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Alva Noto chronology | ||||
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Ryuichi Sakamoto chronology | ||||
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"Glass" is an improvisational piece composed by
Background
Dots Obsession—Alive, Seeking for Eternal Hope was an
Composition
"Glass" is an unconventional
Irene Shum, who co-ordinated and arranged the installation, described Sakamoto and Nicolai's performance as "call and response,"[4] which was also noted by writer Nenad Goergievski: "This it is an ambient articulation where the artists respond to the moment rather than predicating it."[8] The performance not only processed the glass but also its outside environment, as it rained in the beginning of the performance before clearing up.[4] The rain resulted in shrieking-like sounds.[11]
Journalist Andy Beta noted an "intensifying sense of unease it evolves," elaborating that "When Noto and Sakamoto introduce an even higher sound it evokes a physical sensation akin to freezing rain suddenly turning to ice, brittle and crystalline," but also analyzed it was "infused with a warmth that slowly permeates the final moments of the piece."[10] Similarly, Goergievski, noting both ear-friendly and "dissonant" sounds in the track, described it as a "complex recording where the artists weave together an aural tapestry of great and dark beauty, where the patterns and the nuances may be difficult to initially perceive."[8]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Album of the Year | 81/100[12] |
Metacritic | 85/100[13] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
ACRN | 7.5/10[14] |
All About Jazz | [8] |
Exclaim! | 8/10[11] |
Pitchfork | 7.5/10[10] |
PopMatters | [15] |
Resident Advisor | 3.7/5[9] |
Spectrum Culture | 3.75/5[16] |
Sputnikmusic | 4.2/5[17] |
Tiny Mix Tapes | [18] |
"Glass" was
Georgievski claimed the piece "has allowed both [Nicolai and Sakamoto] to reach new sonic vistas and further extend their already impressive compositional palettes," also writing that "both artists are masters of crafting a mystery and otherness from what's on offer."[8] Bromfield opined it presents "a brilliant synthesis of the extremes the two artists represent: beautiful but potentially dangerous."[16] Beta wrote that it "shows off Sakamoto's late-era mastery in working with more experimental artists,"[10] while Exclaim! opined that "the duo's ability to take such a well-worn concept and turn it into a piece so meticulous and touching is a testament to their uniquely fruitful partnership."[11] However, Andrew Ryce, while finding "Glass" "good for close listening, trading narrative for pure texture and mood," wrote that it was mostly on the Glass House that contributed to the track's quality rather than effort from Sakamoto and Nicolai.[9]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Glass" | 36:58 |
Total length: | 36:58 |
Personnel
Derived from the liner notes of Glass.[4]
- Recorded and engineered by Rafael Anton Irisarri
- Edited by Carsten Nicolai
- Mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Technical support by Alec Fellman
- Cover art photography by Derrick Belcham, JJ Jimenez, and Matthew Placek
- Inner sleeve photography by Matthew Placek
- Liner notes by Irene Shum
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label |
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Worldwide | February 16, 2018 |
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NOTON |
References
- ^ "Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto: Glass". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ "Dots Obsession—Alive, Seeking for Eternal Hope". Art Agenda. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Helfet, Gabriela (December 11, 2017). "Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto releasing live improvisation on vinyl". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto. NOTON. N-044.
- ^ a b c "Glass by Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto". iTunes Store. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto". Glass House Official Website. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ "Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto site specific performance at the Glass House". Glass House Official Vimeo Account. November 11, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Georgievski, Nenad (February 10, 2018). "Ryuichi Sakamoto And Alva Noto: Glass". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Ryce, Andrew (February 14, 2018). "Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Glass". Resident Advisor. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Beta, Andy (February 16, 2018). "Alva Noto / Ryuichi Sakamoto: Glass Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c Press, Kevin (February 16, 2018). "Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto Glass". Exclaim! Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto – Glass". Album of the Year. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ a b "Glass by Alva Noto Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ Tornow, Sam (February 22, 2018). "Album Review: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Glass". ACRN. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ Pontecorvo, Adriane (April 20, 2018). "Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Take an Exquisite Journey on 'Glass'". PopMatters. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c Bromfield, Daniel (February 26, 2018). "Alva Noto/Ryuichi Sakamoto: Glass". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ a b W., Aaron (February 19, 2018). "Review: Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto – Glass". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ Acedia. "Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto: Glass". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ a b Lang, Anton (January 18, 2018). "Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto Glass". XLR8R. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ Woodbury, Jason P. (15 May 2018). "Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto: Glass". Relix. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ "Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto – Glass". NOTON Official Website. Retrieved 3 April 2018.