It's February, which means it's time to move along from jazz. And we're starting this month off with everyone's other favorite chart topping genre: classical. Welcome to 2024 and our first entry from the current year. Yes, it comes from one of the 20th century's most notable composers featuring pieces written decades ago, but for those unfamiliar, it serves as an easy entry point to the brilliance of Philip Glass.

The musical stylings of the pianist were first thrust into my world as I sat back in blurry-eyed awe of Koyaanisqatsi, an absolute cinematic favorite of mine and an experience unlike anything I'd ever seen, or would, minus its follow-up, Powaqqatsi, the third entry in the series, Naqoyqatsi, or the stunning films undoubtedly indebted to the 1982 epic, Baraka and Samsara. But I digress. I'll just let Siskel & Ebert perfectly sum up the intent of the progenitor.

The Qatsi trilogy is full-scale Philip Glass. Solo is him, as ever, ruminating, reacting to our world. As Mr. Glass said, "From 2020–2021, I had time at home to practice the works I have played for many years. This record is both a time capsule of 2021, and a reflection on decades of composition and practice. In other words, a document on my current thinking about the music." 

Solo saw the light of day in January 2024 and is a beautiful taste of Glass' minimalist leanings. This is not a man for whom the phrase "tickle the ivories" applies. He does not daintily dance. His slowly evolving repetitions conjure a wistfulness while twinges of optimism intercede frequently enough to impart comfort. More simply, it's meditations on piano.