The Light (Glass)

Composition by Philip Glass

The Light is a 1987 composition by Philip Glass, his first score for a full symphony orchestra. The work was commissioned for the Michelson-Morley Centennial Celebration held at Case Western Reserve University. The musical structure is inspired by the 1887 Michelson–Morley experiment, an investigation of the speed of light that marked a turning point in modern science.

An excerpt of The Light plays in the 2022 documentary Moonage Daydream.^[1]

References

1. Miller, Liz Shannon (23 September 2022). "Brett Morgen Knows That His David Bowie Doc, Moonage Daydream, Is a Great Drug Movie". Consequence. Consequence Media. Retrieved 27 September 2022.

Further reading

• Clements, Andrew (24 November 1987). "Arts: Review of the BBC Symphony at the Festival Hall". Financial Times. London. p. 23. Factiva FTFT000020070506djbo032ow.
• Kaufman, Sarah (26 July 2007). "Fingers Outrace Feet in 'Ukelele'". The Washington Post. p. C13. ProQuest 1310243451. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
• Marek, David (31 January 1988). "Unveiling 'The Light'". The Washington Post. p. f03. Factiva wp00000020011118dk1v007el.
• McLellan, Joseph (3 February 1988). "The Cleveland's Adventures in Music". The Washington Post. p. c06. Factiva wp00000020011118dk23002iy.
• Metcalf, Steve (3 April 1988). "The Boo Heard 'Round the Concert Hall". San Francisco Chronicle. Hartford Courant. p. 5. Factiva sfc0000020011118dk4300ejg.
• Morrison, Richard (23 November 1987). "Arts (Concerts): East Coast blandness / Review of BBC SO - Dohnanyi at the Festival Hall and on Radio 3 (338)". The Times. Factiva T000000020051002djbn005hd.
• Ostlere, Hilary (3 November 2006). "Doug Varone and Dancers Joyce Theater, New York". Financial Times. London. p. 12. Proquest 1156289981.
• Rockwell KAMEHAMEHA, John (31 October 1987). "Music: New Works in Tribute to Science". The New York Times. Factiva NYTF000020050429djav00bvq. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
• Rockwell, John (11 September 1988). "Looking through Glass/Does composer sound like he's repeating himself". Houston Chronicle. The New York Times. p. 16. Factiva hou0000020011117dk9b0143t.
• Rosenberg, Donald (7 October 2008). "Eloquent 'Alchemy' represents despair, hope". The Plain Dealer (Final ed.). Cleveland. p. E6. Factiva CLEV000020081008e4a70000l.