1000 Airplanes on the Roof

by Philip Glass

1000 Airplanes on the Roof cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Virgin
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 54:07
  • Community rating: 3.65/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Originally conceived as a science-fiction music drama featuring text by David Henry Hwang, this recording distills the stage production into a mesmerizing instrumental synthesizer suite. Layering acoustic woodwinds over pulsating, mechanical arpeggiators, the score masterfully evokes themes of extraterrestrial abduction and profound psychological dislocation.

Genres

Descriptors: minimalistic, minimal, operatic, vocal, repetitive, theatrical

Tracklist

  1. 1000 Airplanes On The Roof (6:07)
  2. City Walk (2:11)
  3. Girlfriend (5:48)
  4. My Building Disappeared (1:46)
  5. Screens Of Memory (3:33)
  6. What Time Is Grey (2:17)
  7. Labyrinth (6:08)
  8. Return To The Hive (4:51)
  9. Three Truths (3:52)
  10. The Encounter (8:42)
  11. Grey Cloud Over New York (1:51)
  12. Where Have You Been Asked The Doctor (3:55)
  13. A Normal Man Running (3:06)

Credits

  • Michael Riesman - conductor [winds, brass & vocals]
  • Martin Goldray - keyboards, music director [music direction]
  • Jedediah Wheeler - other [produced for the stage by]
  • Robert LoBianco - other [produced for the stage by]
  • Richard Peck - saxophone [saxophones]
  • Jack Kripl - saxophone, flute, synthesizer [wind]
  • Jon Gibson - saxophone, flute, synthesizer [wind]
  • Linda Ronstadt - vocals

More from Philip Glass: full discography