Philomena Nesci plays Opening from Glassworks by Philip Glass

Here is another one of my favorite pieces to play on piano (I have many favorites, so please don't think I'm nuts if I use that phrase often! 😂)
"Opening" is the first part of the larger work "Glassworks" by Philip Glass. The instrumentation of Glassworks varies throughout. At different times it focuses on piano, french horns, flutes, or others... even the soprano saxophone! 🎷 "Opening", however, is scored for piano alone. 🎹 It sets the tone for the entire work in a cyclical and thoughtful texture of sound.
At the end of Glassworks, called "Closing", this same music from "Opening" returns, but accompanied by all of the other instruments used throughout the rest of Glassworks... making everything feel complete and finished.
Glassworks is a work that falls into the category musicians call "absolute music". This means the piece is not about anything in particular, or at the very least the composer isn't telling you the reason why they wrote it. It's written for the sole purpose of being listened to, and appreciated by the listener for however they want to interpret it. This is different than a Christmas song for instance, which is very obviously about something: Christmas. We call that kind of music "programmatic music".
So while some piece out there might be called "Lambs in a Field", and the listener feels compelled to imagine lambs in a field because they were asked to think that exact thought, "Opening" is a piece which allows you to perhaps create your own story, or just immerse yourself into the beautiful sounds. You can think of or feel whatever you want! (Not that imagining sheep to this piece is a bad idea 🤔 🐑 But it will probably make you very sleepy if your plan is to count them! 😴 🐑) 😂
I personally see many glittering colors in my head when I play or listen to this piece... I think it has something to do with the complex rhythms and the deep chords that make me love it so much! 💜💙💚🧡 Philip Glass is one of my favorite composers, greatly in part because his contemplative and often very beautiful pieces help my imagination to run wild. I find it especially good for when I'm writing stories! ✍️
I hope you all enjoy! 😄

[@CrowsAngels812]

Such a beautiful job playing a tremendous work by Phillip Glass!! Thank you for the background info on the music. I too love his works. ❤️

[@maryannsantos5500]

This piece is so beautiful and hypnotic. You did an amazing job playing it. Thank you for sharing your talent ❤

[@helenacianchetti6103]

Beautifully played!!❤

[@conorhaynes-mannering5094]

Love this rendition! Marvelous! Saved in me playlists :P

[@paulcaubet]

Really beautiful !