Yesterday, I took a break from this week's show prep to clean house, finish my taxes, and make a trip into LPR for last night's program of works by Philip Glass. Signal, who have seemingly been everywhere over the past two weeks, was situated in the center of the room, surrounding Philip Glass Ensemble director Michael Reisman, who switched back and forth between piano and organ. Music In Similar Motion (rev. 1981) was repetitive to the point of madness while Glassworks (1981) built a beautifully intense soundspace, held together by horns and strings. Brad Lubman – who has likewise established himself as New York's go-to new music conductor – showed unusual restraint on the podium, not wanting to distract from the trance-inducing music.
Once again, LPR confounds all expectations of what's possible in a basement concert venue. (More pics below.)
