Documentary Viewing on the Life of
Composer Philip Glass: Feb. 6

The Gould Center at Claremont McKenna College presents a viewing of "GLASS: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts" at 8 p.m. on Feb. 6 in Pickford Auditorium. Directed by Scott Hicksinternationally acclaimed director of "Shine, " "Snow Falling on Cedars," and "No Reservations"this documentary sheds light on the complex and private life of one of the 20th century's most important composers: Philip Glass.
Beginning in July 2005, Hicks spent the following 18 months interviewing and chronicling the life and work of renowned composer Philip Glass. The documentary explores Glass' religious philosophy, his unconventional musical techniques, and unique personal life, and concludes with the performance of his opera, "Waiting for the Barbarians," in Erfut, Germany. It also includes in-depth interviews with family members and notable collaborators of Glass, including Chuck Close, Woody Allen and Errol Morris.
In his Director's Notes, Hicks noted "Philip being Philip, there was never a dull moment. Every day there was something new: a fresh collaboration, renewal of an old friendship, rehearsals for a world premiere of a new work, recordings of film scores (including my own "No Reservations"), sessions with other film directors, time out with his infant sons. Gradually pieces of his rich and varied life revealed themselves as Philip generously opened the doors into his family and friendships, as well as the extraordinary tapestry of his evolution from early days in Paris to the downtown New York art scene of the '60s and '70s."
Born in 1937, Glass grew up in Baltimore and studied at The University of Chicago, The Juilliard School, and in Aspen, Colo., with Darius Milhaud. He then moved to Europe to study with Nadia Boulanger and worked closely with composer Ravi Shankar. In 1967, Glass returned to New York and formed the Philip Glass Ensemble-seven musicians playing keyboards and a variety of woodwinds.
In the last 25 years, Glass has composed more than 20 operas, eight symphonies, two piano concertos and concertos for violin, piano, timpani, and saxophone quarter and orchestra, and works for solo piano and organ. He also has written music for experimental theater and film. He received three Academy Award nominations for "Notes on a Scandal," "The Hours," and Martin Scorsese's "Kundun." Glass also won a Golden Globe for best original score for "The Truman Show." Indeed, Glass is the first composer to win a wide, multi-generational audience in the opera house, the concert hall, the dance world, in film and in popular musicsimultaneously. He has also collaborated with a remarkably diverse roster of artists: Woody Allen, Allen Ginsberg, Doris Lessing, Yo-Yo Ma, Linda Ronstadt, Martin Scorsese, Ravi Shankar, and Paul Simon, to name but a few.
Glass will perform his newest work, Book of Longing, at Garrison Theatre for five exclusive engagements Feb. 25-March 1. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. For more information about Book of Longing, please visit www.claremontmckenna.edu/gould.