PHILIP GLASS

PHILIP GLASS
DRACULA (1999)
KRONOS QUARTET
320 KBPS

Philip Glass's score for Tod Browning's 1931 Dracula is a capturing composition. Though I haven't seen the movie yet, this Dracula comes to life simply by listening to the effective soundtrack. But that's not all: the visionary quality of Glass's composition makes several tracks on the CD the perfect inspiration for scenes of movies that have yet to be filmed! Track number 23 - "Dr. van Helsing and Dracula" - is a most beautiful piece of music, that cannot leave one indifferent: strangely enough, it has a tango-like beat to it, and a sadness so deep it makes one picture two lovers dancing their last dance together.
I know very little about Glass's previous works, but his most representative composition - Einstein on the Beach - I have listened to several times, and from what I've gathered Dracula certainly seems to be in Glass's style... Minimal music patterns, repeated in looped sequences, with gradual variation. The final effect is a taut, nerve jagging hour of music, with a touch of sombre pensiveness to it, some will love - as I did - and others may not stand.
Kronos Quartet members perform - as usual - with terrific energy, giving one the impression of really "feeling" the music they are playing: there are few things I would like to do as much as listening to them perform live!

1. Dracula
2. Journey To The Inn
3. The Inn
4. The Crypt
5. Carriage Without A Driver
6. The Castle
7. The Drawing Room
8. 'Excellent, Mr. Renfield'
9. The Three Consorts Of Dracula
10. The Storm
11. Horrible Tragedy
12. London Fog
13. In The Theatre
14. Lucy's Bitten
15. Seward Sanatorium
16. Renfield
17. In His Cell
18. When The Dream Comes
19. Dracula Enters
20. Or A Wolf
21. Women In White
22. Renfield In The Drawing Room
23. Dr. Van Helsing And Dracula
24. Mina On The Terrace
25. Mina's Bedroom/The Abbey
26. The End Of Dracula

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