A New Concert Work by Philip Glass
Based on the Poetry of Leonard Cohen
17-18 October 2007
Described as “the most powerful composer of our time” (The Daily Telegraph) and also celebrating his 70th birthday this year, Philip Glass is set to make his European première of a newly commissioned work based on the poetry of Leonard Cohen, Book of Longing, at Wales Millennium Centre from 17-18 October. Tickets go on sale for the Book of Longing on Friday 1 June and range from £4 to £45.
Six years in the making, Book of Longing is a culmination between two of the world's most celebrated artists of their generation. Commenting on this collaboration, Glass says, “I found Cohen’s work intensely beautiful, personal and inspiring. Six years in the making, our stars are finally aligned. For me, this is both a departure from my past work and a fulfilment of an artistic dream.”
Book of Longing has been conceived as an evening-length concert work performed by an ensemble of singers and musicians, drawn from indie rock, classical and new music circles. Glass himself plays keyboard. Cohen’s distinctive voice, heard on recording, will read selections of the poems, underscored by the musical ensemble. The world première of this concert will take place at the Luminato Festival in Toronto in June.
Wales Millennium Centre Chief Executive, Judith Isherwood, says, “This will be Philip Glass’ second visit and premier at Wales Millennium Centre and we’re delighted to welcome him back in the year of his 70th birthday. Having the European première of his new work at WMC is another coup for Wales and WMC. It represents another very important milestone for us, reinforcing our position as a major player in the performing arts, following on from our UK premiere of the Kirov Opera’s Ring Cycle late last year.
“This première is very much in keeping with our cultural ambition of bringing the best of the world to Wales. For a small country, with a population of just three million, Wales has always punched above its weight in the performing arts world and continues to do so in music, film and theatre.”
Wales Millennium Centre Programming and Communications Director, Fiona Allan, adds, “This is the first time that WMC has been a partner in a major international commissioning project with other partners including the Lincoln Centre Festival, Spoleto Festival USA and the Barbican. Ever since we premiered the Qatsi Trilogy in 2005 we have been trying to secure a date for Philip Glass to return to our stage - which impressed him very much. This production is a huge artistic achievement for the Centre and I have no doubt that we will see audiences traveling a great distance for the opportunity to see one of most influential composers of our time.”
Philip Glass’ concert work is based on selections from Leonard Cohen’s Book of Longing, which is a collection of 167 new poems written over the past twenty years and 43 original illustrations by Cohen himself.
Wales Millennium Centre presented the UK premiere of Philip Glass and Godfrey Reggio’s Quasi Trilogy in November 2005.
A pre-show talk will be held with Philip Glass from 6.30pm-7pm on Thursday 18 October in the main theatre, the Donald Gordon Theatre. Admission to the talk is free to ticket holders of either performance.
Tickets for Book of Longing range from £4-£45 and is showing at WMC from 17-18 October. To book your tickets, contact the WMC ticket and information office on 08700 40 2000 or visit: www.wmc.org.uk
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