Company | Philip Glass - Wise Music Classical

Commissioned by the Mabou Mines Development foundation for the dramatization of Samuel Beckett's prose poem 'Company'.

Orchestration
str
Alternative Orchestration2vn.va.vc
Duration8 min

Composer
Philip Glass

Performances
- 21st May 2025, Kongresshaus, Biel, Switzerland
- 22nd May 2025, Stadttheater, Solothurn, Switzerland
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Programme Note

These four short works were conceived as theatre pieces. I composed them for the Mabou Mines Production of the play ‘Company’, which was given its premiere at the Public Theatre in the early part of 1983. This will be the first live performance of this particular piece, since the original music for the theatre was played on tape. Since the Public Theatre debut, I have been asked to perform this music with the Philip Glass Ensemble, but written as they are for string quartet, the pieces are not at all suitable for the Ensemble. It is gratifying to have this music being performed before a live audience in a proper setting by such accomplished performers. Each piece a composer writes must find its own outlet. This is especially true with a composer like myself, who often writes specifically in collaboration with a visual element, whether theatre, film or dance. I’m happy to see that Company has found its home.

© Philip Glass