Art of Listening: Review of Adrian Foster's Chamber Ensemble Concert

This report is a detailed review of a concert by Adrian Foster, focusing on his renditions of contemporary compositions by Philip Glass, Bengt Hambraeus, and Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. The concert, held at Salle Redpath Hall in Montreal, featured organ and piano. The student's review highlights the impact of the organ on the music's texture and depth, particularly in the context of Philip Glass's works, and the unique gothic ambiance created. The review also discusses the absence of vocal harmonies in Foster's performance compared to the original compositions. The author reflects on the evolution of music and how artists' interpretations and instrument choices shape the final experience. The report concludes with the author's appreciation for the concert and a desire to experience similar events to further develop their musical sensibilities.

Running head: Art of Listening
Art of Listening
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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About the Concert:
The concert was held on Friday, February 16th, 2018 at 12:30pm in the Salle Redpath
Hall 3461; rue McTavish, Montreal, Quebec.
The concert was given by a Chamber Ensemble performed by Adrian Foster and
accompanied by Marc McDonald.
Instruments used in the concert: Organ and piano.
The original compositions were made in the 20th century, in a contemporary music
style.
The concert included renditions of compositions by American Composer: Philip Glass
(songs: Opening and Island from the album Glassworks), Swedish Canadian composer Bengt
Hambraeus (Song: Perspectives du Mi en quatuor) and Polish Composer Henryk Mikołaj
Górecki (song: Kantata) (Mcgill.ca, 2018).

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How I felt about the concert:
This was the first time I attended a concert by Adrian Foster. He played compositions
by renowned contemporary (20th century) composers like Philip Glass, Bengt Hambraeus and
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. I have heard live performance of Koyaanisqatsi by Philip Glass that
comprised of several instruments like: wind instruments (flute, clarinet, horns), piano, string
instruments (cello, violin) and also had vocal harmonies and also Glassworks conducted by
David Felberg, and comprised of keyboards, wind instruments and piano. I never had the
opportunity to witness any composition played by Bengt Hambraeus and Henryk Mikołaj
Górecki. The composition Glassworks by Philip Glass was beautifully rendered by Adrian
Foster, even despite the lack of the same instrumentation, the original flavor of the music was
kept intact, with a touch of Adrian Foster style. Most importantly, usage of organs in this
concert had a profound effect on the texture and depth of the music, and the deep resonating
vibes completely mesmerized me in the concert. I would therefore like to witness more such
concerts. I would like to hear more compositions by Philip Glass, Bengt Hambraeus and
Henryk Mikołaj Górecki.
The aspects I liked most about the concert are the artistic use of organs, where each of
the keys from the original composition was accurately rendered. The sound of the organ had
an amazing resonating effect that allowed depth in the sound. What impressed me the most
was how a contemporary style of music was rendered using a non-contemporary instrument.
The amalgamation was an enchanting music that incorporated both classical and modern art
forms. In my understanding the renditions developed a gothic flavour, due to the usage of the
organs.
In glassworks, Philip Glass utilised a lot of vocal harmonies that complemented the
piano and strings. Such aspect was missing in the concert by Adrian Foster. In my opinion

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that affected the overall essence of the sound, creating a different signature, and morphed the
sound into a more gothic style of composition. However, even though I loved the gothic
ambience created by it, it also created a want to hear the same composition in its original
form, which I loved.
Attending this concert helped me realise how art replicates and also dynamically
transforms through the musical sensibilities of a musician. Any form of music, when
rendered by a musician, imbibes the signature of the artist as well as the environment created
by the instruments. This I believe is an evolution of music, and helps in the development or
different musical genres.
Overall, I had an amazing and enlightening experience watching Adrian Foster bring
to life some of the most beautiful compositions in contemporary music, and hope to
experience more such events, and develop my own music sensibilities through it.

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Bibliography:
Mcgill.ca (2018). Noon-Hour Organ Series. [online] Mcgill.ca. Available at:
https://www.mcgill.ca/music/files/music/channels/attach/16.feb_.12h30.rh_.noonhour
organ.foster.pdf [Accessed 25 Feb. 2018].
Philipglass.com. (1982). Koyaanisqatsi – Philip Glass. Philipglass.com. Retrieved 25
February 2018, from http://philipglass.com/films/koyaanisqatsi/
Philipglass.com. (2018). Philip Glass. Philipglass.com. Retrieved 25 February 2018, from
http://philipglass.com/