American Premiere | Composed by Philip Glass

Spoleto Festival USA presented the American premiere of Book of Longing, the long-awaited new concert work by Philip Glass, one of the most influential composers of our time, and based on legendary poet and singer Leonard Cohen's recently published poetry collection, his first in over 20 years. The culmination of years of admiration between two of the most celebrated musical artists of their generation, Glass set Cohen's words – at once playful, erotic, meditative, and singularly provocative – to a new score performed by an ensemble of singers and musicians, drawn from indie rock, classical and new music circles. Glass himself played keyboard.

“[Glass is] the most powerful composer of our time.”-The Daily Telegraph (UK)

“Glass's new work, heard here in its American premiere, is a lyrically beatiful and afflecting song cycle.”-The Post and Courier