Gavin Bryars: A Man in a Room, Gambling

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Gavin Bryars, born in Yorkshire in 1943, started as a jazz bassist and later studied composition with John Cage. He has composed prolifically for theater, dance and the concert hall, and has written three full-length operas.

The Balanescu Quartet is one of the most celebrated and accomplished quartets specializing in new and modern music. They have released dozens of recordings on major and independent labels, and have also crossed over into the pop world, working with the Pet Shop Boys and David Byrne.

Album Description
Gavin Bryars' numerous recordings have been among the best-selling CDs by any contemporary composer. Two of his albums, 'The Sinking of the Titanic' and 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet,' have sold more than 250,000 copies. This highly original composition project resulted from a mutual friends' suggestion that Bryars collaborate with sculptor Juan Munoz, who was interested in working on a sound project for possible radio broadcast. Munoz wrote ten texts, each describing the manipulation of playing cards. His recorded voice was then manipulated to fit certain musical patterns that, in addition to the original music, include a quotation at the end of the Fifth Symphony of Sibelius. Juan Munoz died suddenly in August of 2001, aged 49, cutting short further planned collaborations with Gavin Bryars. This was recorded in London in 1992.

Tracks:

Programme One: 'Bottom Dealing'
Programme Two: 'Three Card Trick'
Programme Three: 'Cutting'
Programme Four: 'Shifting Upper Pack To Bottom'
Programme Five: 'Sorting 3 Cards In A Pack'
Programme Six: 'Taking Cards From The Bottom'
Programme Seven: 'Sorting 2 Cards In A Pack'
Programme Eight: 'Getting Rid Of Extra Cards'
Programme Nine: 'Three Card Trick-The Mexican Row'
Programme Ten: Reprise 'Dealing From The Bottom'

Album Description

Gavin Bryars' numerous recordings have been among the best-selling CDs by any contemporary composer. Two of his albums, 'The Sinking of the Titanic' and 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet,' have sold more than 250,000 copies. This highly original composition project resulted from a mutual friends' suggestion that Bryars collaborate with sculptor Juan Munoz, who was interested in working on a sound project for possible radio broadcast. Munoz wrote ten texts, each describing the manipulation of playing cards. His recorded voice was then manipulated to fit certain musical patterns that, in addition to the original music, include a quotation at the end of the Fifth Symphony of Sibelius. Juan Munoz died suddenly in August of 2001, aged 49, cutting short further planned collaborations with Gavin Bryars. This was recorded in London in 1992.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely brilliant - Bryars is stunningly original

A Man in a Room, Gambling

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Gavin Bryars: Farewell to Philosophy

ASIN: B0000069CH
Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

A Man in a Room, Gambling: No. 4
A Man in a Room, Gambling: No. 8
A Man in a Room, Gambling: No. 3
A Man in a Room, Gambling: No. 9
A Man in a Room, Gambling: No. 10
Les Fianlles
The North Shore
The South Downs

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely brilliant - Bryars is stunningly original.......1998-09-14

In my opinion this work surpasses anything Bryars has done before - including his innovative Jesus's Blood and Titanic albums. In 'Gambling' Bryars reaches new heights of experimentation which are beautifully executed. His works are always thoughtful and deeply moving. A Man In A Room Gambling is staggeringly creative, audacious, humourous and beguiling. The concept is based on the BBC's nightly Shipping Forecast - Bryars achieves a similarly hypnotic atmosphere and the spoken prose, read by Spanish artist Juan Munoz (with a beautiful accent) works perfectly. You can't help but smile.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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