Dennis Russell Davies Performs Philip Glass

Philip Glass; Dennis Russell Davies; Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Dennis Russell Davies is one of the world’s most inventive conductors. At the forefront of the orchestral, chamber and operatic worlds, he is an articulate and versatile artist respected in both traditional and contemporary music, as well as an accomplished pianist and much-sought after collaborator. As a champion of composer Philip Glass’ music, and of many other great contemporary composer’s work, he has had significantly helped to enrich concert and operatic repertory around the globe. Currently, Mr. Davis is Chief Conductor of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, and the Linz Opera. He is also a Professor of Orchestral Conducting at the Salzburg Mozarteum.

The Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra was commissioned by the Tirol Tourist Board (Tirol Werbung, Tirol/Austria) and had its world premiere at the Tyrol Festival "Klangspuren" in Jenbach, Austria on 22nd September 2000. While staying in the Tyrol, Glass studied sound documents and sheet music of Tyrolese folk-music. In the Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra he used original folk-music source material directly for the first time.

In 1990 Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar—whom Mr. Glass recognizes as "one of his teachers" —collaborated on a recording entitled Passages. This project brought full circle a process that began in 1965, when Glass, a promising young American musician met Indian Sitar master Ravi Shankar in Paris while Glass was earning pocket money doing notation for a soundtrack recording session.

Dennis Russell Davies’ close friendship with Philip Glass and his intense understanding and support of Mr. Glass’ work has led to many successful collaborations and will, no doubt, result in many more. Orange Mountain Music is proud to present these recordings of the Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and Mr. Davies’ arrangements of Selections from Passages.