Rapunzel [Import]

1. Japanese Title

2. Japanese Title

3. Japanese Title

4. Japanese Title

5. Japanese Title

6. I Was On My Birthday Night

7. Japanese Title

8. Japanese Title

9. Japanese Title

10. Japanese Title

11. Japanese Title

12. Japanese Title

Tracks:

Air For The Poet
Rapunzel: Act I
Rapunzel: Act II
Rapunzel: Act III
Rapunzel: Act IV
Rapunzel: Act V
Rapunzel: Act VI
Songs In The Forest: Slowish
Songs In The Forest: Fastish
Songs In The Forest: Largo
Air In G Minor

Customer Reviews:

The Best of Polystylism.......2002-07-30

Lou Harrison is simply a wonder. His music seems to be able to touch any of his wide musical and philosophical interests and yet remain distinctive, and accessible. This CD, which contains mostly music from the 40s, perhaps more than any other recording that I've heard introduces the listener to the wide range of Harrison's musical world.

The main work on this CD is Rapunzel, and what a surprise it is! Rapunzel is based on a telling of the fairytale by William Morris, with a dose of psychology thrown in. The tonal language is twelve-note, perhaps even serial at times. And yet, it is never dense or cluttered and it is always lyrical. Harrison, even in this early piece from the 40's, is much more interested in communication than in theory. As a result, Rapunzel is an immediately attractive work, an unusual thing to say for such a twelve note piece.

The other works on this CD are more in Harrison's modal genre. The Air for the Poet is a lovely work, mellifluous and yet moving. Songs from the Forest is one of Harrison's East/West chamber pieces and a very successful blend of western instruments and eastern techniques. And Air in g minor is a lovely, almost Baroque style melody over a continuous drone. It's haunting.

All in all, this is another great Harrison CD on New Albion. This might not be the first CD that I would choose to introduce someone to this magical composer, but for those of us who are already converted, this fills in the gaps of an important time in Harrison's musical development.

America's Most Verstile Composer.......2000-05-05

Lou Harrison is America's most versitile composer, plain and simple. He can assimilate any style and make it his own, and more, even forms which are alien to the American Muse he can render intelligible and accessible. He is as at home with a gamelon as he is with a symphony orchestra. This recording goes from the graceful Air for the Poet through the dark serialism of the title opera (on a text by William Morris) to the meditative Songs in the Forest, to the very melodic Air in g minor. It is all amazingly listenable music and because of its variety there is likely to be something for everyone. Well, maybe not: there are too many facets of Harrison's talent for one, or even a dozen, CDs to express. If you don't know his music, however, you ought to give him a try. He is just plain wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Diazepam
Bald Rapunzel
Manufacturer: independent
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LWUZBG

Average customer rating:

Let down your long hair...

Rapunzel
Cocco
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Japan | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000059HUX
Release Date: 2001-01-12

Tracks:

Kemono Michi
Mizukagami
Ureta Tsumi
Kumoji No Hate
Shiroi Kyouki
Twas on My Birthday Night
Jukai No Ito
Nanaiko Dareda?
Kagari Bi
Polomerria
Unabara No Ningyo
Shinayakana Ude No Inori

Customer Reviews:

Let down your long hair..........2004-07-04

This album has me gripped so hard right from PLAY and refuses to let go until its finished. Even afterwards the songs within it grab me and try to drag me back.
Indeed, 'Rapunzel' is a harsh mistress, but oh how I love her.
The best track is the 2nd 'Mizu Kagami' (water mirror). Cocco bares all and throws some splendidly emotional tracks at us with great lyrics and competent English to boot!

Romanized track list:

Customer Reviews:

Star Performance!.......2007-04-18

Tom Trenney is a brilliant young organist who doesn't just play the music on the page, he tells a story. This CD is recorded on a beautiful organ in a wonderfully reverberant room. The programming is great and includes many pieces that don't get recorded often, but should!

Highly recommended!