muzycy:
Ray Manzarek: Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Vocals


Larry Anderson: Drums
Ted Hall: Guitar
Doug Hodges: Bass Guitar
Adam Holzman: Synthesizer
Jack Kripl: Wind, Flute, Saxophone
Catherine Aks: Vocals
Ma Prem Alimo: Vocals
Bruce Fifer: Vocals
Mary Ann Hart: Vocals
Cindy Heuues: Vocals
Michael Hume: Vocals
Elliot Z. Levine: Vocals
Dora Ohrenstein: Vocals
Patrick Romano: Vocals
Kimball Wheeler: Vocals

Michael Riesman: Conductor, Orchestration, Synthesizer
Philip Glass: Producer

Ray Manzarek and Phillip Glass’ production of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.
Album art by Lou Beach

1983: Original release on A&M Records.
Produced by Phillip Glass

Editor's info:
There are many successful precedents for contemporary versions of great classics, Switched-on Bach, Hooked On Classics and A Fifth of Beethoven are standout examples, and for recording artists like Patrick Gleason and Tomita, modern interpretations have become the basis of careers.

There is clearly public interest waiting to be tapped, and Ray Manzarek’s choice of Carmina Burana could spark that interest. Combining beautiful melodies with powerful rhythms, it is a piece that is already in the public mind, since excerpts from it were used in the hit films, The Omen and Excalibur. But few high tech classics can offer what this version of Carmina Burana represents: an unprecedented collaboration between a legendary rock musician like Ray Manzarek and a modern classical talent like Philip Glass.

As a result, the potential audience for this album exists in many areas of musical taste, including those who’ve followed the careers of Manzarek and Glass, and those who’ve followed the intriguing history of the piece itself. As various articles in the press have indicated, controversy has surrounded this music since its creation in 1935; the lively debate over its interpretations continues with this version, one of the boldest attempted yet.

As with any piece which changes the way we’re used to hearing music, the Carmina Burana of Ray Manzarek and Phillip Glass is bound to send sparks flying. This is to be welcomed.

As the New York Times noted, the sensual theme and pounding rhythms of Carmina Burana anticipated rock n’ roll, while the back-to-basics approach of its composer serves as a precedent of the modern classical minimalism of Phillip Glass. From oppo.......
more

Ray Manzarek and Phillip Glass’ production of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.
Album art by Lou Beach

1983: Original release on A&M Records.
Produced by Phillip Glass

Editor's info:
There are many successful precedents for contemporary versions of great classics, Switched-on Bach, Hooked On Classics and A Fifth of Beethoven are standout examples, and for recording artists like Patrick Gleason and Tomita, modern interpretations have become the basis of careers.

There is clearly public interest waiting to be tapped, and Ray Manzarek’s choice of Carmina Burana could spark that interest. Combining beautiful melodies with powerful rhythms, it is a piece that is already in the public mind, since excerpts from it were used in the hit films, The Omen and Excalibur. But few high tech classics can offer what this version of Carmina Burana represents: an unprecedented collaboration between a legendary rock musician like Ray Manzarek and a modern classical talent like Philip Glass.

As a result, the potential audience for this album exists in many areas of musical taste, including those who’ve followed the careers of Manzarek and Glass, and those who’ve followed the intriguing history of the piece itself. As various articles in the press have indicated, controversy has surrounded this music since its creation in 1935; the lively debate over its interpretations continues with this version, one of the boldest attempted yet.

As with any piece which changes the way we’re used to hearing music, the Carmina Burana of Ray Manzarek and Phillip Glass is bound to send sparks flying. This is to be welcomed.

As the New York Times noted, the sensual theme and pounding rhythms of Carmina Burana anticipated rock n’ roll, while the back-to-basics approach of its composer serves as a precedent of the modern classical minimalism of Phillip Glass. From oppo.......
more