Symphony No. 4 (Glass)
Heroes Symphony is a symphony (also known as Symphony No. 4 "Heroes") composed by American composer Philip Glass in 1996 based on the album "Heroes" by David Bowie. Glass also based his earlier Low Symphony on the David Bowie album, Low.
The symphony
The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 3 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, piano, celesta and strings.
The symphony is in 6 movements:
The album
| Symphony No. 4 | |
|---|---|
| Studio album by Philip Glass | |
| Released | 1996 |
| Recorded | 1996; Looking Glass Studios, NYC |
| Genre | Classical |
| Length | 44:11 |
| Label | Point Music |
| Producer | Kurt Munkacsi, Michael Riesman |
The album "Heroes" Symphony includes only the "Heroes" Symphony performed by American Composers Orchestra directed by Michael Riesman and conducted by Dennis Russell Davies. Recorded and Distributed by POINT Music record label, a joint venture of Euphorbia Productions Ltd and Philips Classics Productions. The catalog number of 454-388-2 designates Symphony No. 4 "Heroes".
Track listing
- Heroes (5:53)
- Abdulmajid (8:53)
- Sense of Doubt (7:20)
- Sons of the Silent Age (8:18)
- Neuköln (6:41)
- V2 Schneider (6:48)
Trivia
- On the 20th of September 1996 a shorter version of Symphony No. 4 "Heroes" was used by Twyla Tharp's troupe in a ballet entitled "Heroes".
- &* As I have been involved with the world of dance for many years I naturally mentioned the "Heroes" Symphony to the American Choreographer Twyla Tharp. Straight away she wanted "Heroes" for her new dance company, and soon after, we met with David. He immediately shared Twyla's enthusiasm and I found myself writing a symphonic score shortly to become a ballet.- Philip Glass 1996 (from Heroes Symphony CD jacket/sleeve).
- In 2006 Symphony No. 4 "Heroes" was used as the soundtrack for Marc Jacobs Fall / Winter 2006 fashion show.
- In 2007 "V2 Schneider" was used in the soundtrack for the Lanvin Fall / Winter 2007 fashion show.
- Also in 2007 the Alexander McQueen Fall / Winter 2007 Menswear fashion show used a mashup of David Bowie's original 1977 version of "Heroes" with Philip Glass' 1996 version of "Heroes."
- On the 24th of March 2003 Aphex Twin released the compilation album 26 Mixes for Cash which contained a further remix of Philip Glass' orchestral version of David Bowie's "Heroes", from Symphony No. 4 "Heroes", mixed with samples of Bowie's singing from the original 1977 Bowie single "Heroes".
