Metropolis

Michael Daugherty (b. 28/04/1954) is probably the most interesting of those composers who, mindful of the post-modern lesson, include in their compositions various styles with references to pop, jazz, and the classics of both the 19th and early 20th centuries.

I realize that, it makes me think of a vile soup, but Daugherty is actually a very knowledgeable composer, as well as a fine orchestrator, and even to my ears, which are not particularly fond of such mixtures, he result pleasant.

In reality, Daugherty is currently one of the most performed, commissioned, and awarded American composers, certainly also because his pieces are accessible to a wider audience than the small circle of lovers of experimentation.

Although, in my opinion, his best production is not his orchestral one, here I propose a movement of Metropolis (1988-93), a symphonic work in five movements (which can also be performed separately), where the cultural reference of the title is not Fritz Lang, but Superman. Metropolis is, in fact, the city where the famous comic book was set.

The titles of the movements are

Lex (1991)
Krypton (1993)
MXYZPTLK (1988)
Oh, Lois (1989)
Red Cape Tango (1993)

The latest recording, conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, was nominated in six categories at the 2011 Grammy Awards and took home the awards for Best Orchestral Performance, Best Engineered Album, and Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

From this recording, and thanks to YouTube, I present the fifth movement. Keep an eye (and ear) out for references. One could even be from Deep Purple (although those three chords could be anything, but they are so similar even in tempo).

Instrumentation: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon; 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba; timpani, 4 percussion instruments; piano; strings.

The entire Metropolis can be heard on YouTube.

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