September 23, 2019
Mr. Glass (at 82) has
For those with longer memories,
The cascading images, viewed in synch with Mr. Glass's shimmering music, make for an ambivalent experience: distress at the world he portrays and thrilled by the beauty of his images. Mr. Reggio's American landscapes – either of the lonely American Southwest or the synchronistic madness of New York City – are stunning. While the film (shot between 1975 – 1981) often showed anachronistic images (a city block-sized billboard in Times Square of a cigarette brand; people playing Pac-Man), Reggio's vision that technology has overwhelmed American culture is certainly prescient.
And to hear Mr. Glass's music (for ensemble and chorus) performed live was a thrilling experience. The precision with the repetitive motifs is reflected in the repetitive tasks (such as assembly lines or city traffic) made for a subtle touch that would likely be missed in a conventional screening of the film. One of Mr. Glass's drollest moments was how he punctuated a woman putting Twinkies on an ensemble line in perfect beat with the music. Loud, but resonant, the ensemble made the music the focus of the evening and a celebration of Mr. Glass, easily one of America's greatest living composers.
"Koyaanisqatsi Live" was performed under the sponsorship of Global Arts Live at the Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA on Friday, September 20. For more about "Koyaanisqatsi Live," visit
For more on events in Global Arts Live's 2019-2020 season,
