Reviews

Glass, whose reductive, repetitive music inspires either adoration or ennui, has written as excellent, easy-to-read account of his compositional career, with particular emphasis on the planning and realization of his well-known trilogy of operas: Einstein on the Beach , Satyagraha , and Akhnaten. Even Glass's detractors will be won over by his obvious sincerity and seriousness of purpose in coming to terms with the complexities of his operatic subjects. Glass fans will enjoy the reminiscences of his salad years in Paris and the fascinating behind-the-scenes view of the opera world, but may be disappointed in the sketchy explanations of the musical content of the operas. The up-to-date discography is useful. Larry Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, Pa.