[.ca] Gormenghast

Tries Too Hard To Be Clever:
I bought this thinking it was the soundtrack to the excellent BBC production of the Gormenghast trilogy that aired on PBS. It's not- it's an abbreviated opera. And while it has its moments, it's rather silly. The music often goes nowhere - I suppose some would say that's the point, since the Gormenghast story is basically about people who are trapped. But, forsaking substance for style is usually the "solution" of someone who can't come up with the goods. It's a passable effort, but it's not something that will live with you.

Kind of silly:
Personally, I don't like much opera that's sung in English, although I guess I don't care for opera that much either. Nor english opera with breakbeats and jungle beats. I was excited when I picked this CD up. A fantasy opera, based on Gormenghast, written by the guy from CAN? Sounded great, but fails in my opinion. It might have been fun to see it live, but listening is another thing. However, I let a couple of friends listen to it, and they loved it. So I guess you either love it or hate it.

Essential Listening for fans of CAN:
In the likely absence of further new works by CAN collectively, we listen to their work as individuals. Irmin Schmidt has brilliantly realized an operatic vision of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast. While showing the antecedents of Can and his studies with Stockhausen this, nevertheless, is a distinctive and breathtaking work that stands as a great triumph. The use of voice and the narrative structure of Opera lead to a greater unity and coherence of the work than in his improvisation based earlier work. The sweep of sounds that Schmidt elicits from the orchestra, instrumentalists and vocalists is stunning in its diversiy and consistency. I love it to death.

• Overture - Irmin Schmidt
• Gertrude's Aria: Touch
• Swelter's Aria: Be a Happy Carnivore
• Steerpike's Song: Oxygen
• Fuchsia's Song: Rainbow Party
• Ensemble: Joy
• Twin's Duet: Triumph
• Barquentine's Aria: Posses Me, Chaos!
• Sepulchrave's Aria: Behold the Night!
• Duet Fuchsia & Stterkpike: The Birds Are Leaving for the South
• Fuchsia's Aria: Fall, Friendly Rain