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As regular readers of this page will know, Philip Glass has been promising the third and final symphony of his Bowie/Eno trilogy for many years. Now his 12th symphony, based on Bowie’s Lodger album, will have its European premiere at the Southbank Centre next year following the world premiere in Los Angeles.
Lodger will be performed alongside his First (Low) and Fourth ("Heroes") symphonies by new music ensemble the London Contemporary Orchestra with innovative organist James McVinnie. Hugh Brunt and Robert Ames will be conducting.
Based on Bowie’s 1979 album of the same name, Lodger completes Glass’s reimagining of Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, following 1992’s Low symphony and 1996’s "Heroes" symphony. The composer had discussed the piece with Bowie, but only now has it been realised.
In a recent statement, Glass said: “For the past two decades, I had hoped to find an opportunity to complete the trilogy of symphonies. I’m now delighted to have that chance to compose the Lodger symphony, and equally delighted that it will be heard in London at Southbank Centre.”
The work has been co-commissioned by Southbank Centre, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tickets are already on sale to members with the general sale commencing on Tuesday February 6th. Go here for more information and ticket links.
“My approach was to treat the themes very much as if they were my own and allow their transformations to follow my own compositional bent when possible. In practice, however, Bowie and Eno’s music certainly influenced how I worked, leading me to sometimes surprising musical conclusions.” - Philip Glass
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