Of Climbing Heaven and Gazing on the Earth, first movement of Vipassana by Joseph C. Phillips Jr., came into focus after my visit to The Hague in the Netherlands for a two-week festival celebrating composer Steve Reich, where a number of my own compositions were also performed. Taking a break from the festival, I took a train north to Amsterdam. While walking around the city I stumbled upon Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s outdoor photography exhibition, Earth from Above. This powerful and moving touring exhibition featured aerial photographs of natural and man-made objects taken from many places over the globe. Ecological or societal dangers in the areas of the photograph are detailed in accompanying captions. One photo I was particularly drawn to was of a flock of scarlet ibis flying over the Amacuro delta in Venezuela. The photograph was taken from a perspective high above the flock. The very striking juxtaposition of the deep red birds against the rich black soil evoked a sense of ‘soaringness’ and beauty that found musical outlet when I returned to the States. The title comes from a line in one of Percy Shelley’s last poems:
Art thou pale for weariness
Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth
from
Vipassana,
released April 14, 2009
Numinous
Ben Kono,
Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn,
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone
Dan Willis,
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, English Horn,
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Ed Xiques,
Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone
Dave Smith, Flügelhorn, Trumpet
Deborah Weisz, Trombone
Tom Beckham, Vibraphone
Mike Pinto, Vibraphone
Amanda Monaco, Electric Guitar
Sebastian Noelle, Electric Guitar
Deanna Witkowski, Piano
Brenda Earle, Piano
Peter Wise, Percussion
Luke Notary, Percussion
Charenee Wade, Voice
Amy Cervini, Voice
Sofia Koutsovitis, Voice
Julie Hardy, Voice
Monika Heidemann, Voice
Ana Milosavljevic, Violin
Skye Steele, Violin
Orlando Wells, Viola
Joshua Davidowitz, Viola
Jody Redhage, Violoncello
Lauren Riley-Rigby, Violoncello
Thomson Kneeland, Bass
Joseph C. Phillips Jr., Conductor, Composer
Recorded March and August 2007 at Systems Two, Brooklyn
Mixed and Mastered at Systems Two
Engineered by Michael Marciano
Produced by Joseph C. Phillips Jr.
Cover & Tray Photos Malaysian Forest #1 & 2 by Joseph C. Phillips Jr.