the loser, by David Lang

the loser

by David Lang

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Comes in a 6-panel gatefold wallet, designed by Denise Burt / elevator-design.dk

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Full Digital Discography

22

releases

Get all 22 David Lang releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of shade, The Village Detective: a song cycle, love fail, when I am alone, the loser, anatomy theater, mystery sonatas, writing on water, and 14 more. , and , .
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1.	scene 1 - even glenn gould, our friend 12:07	buy track
2.	scene 2 - strangely enough 07:22	buy track
3.	scene 3 - it's not my way 08:03	buy track
4.	scene 4 - glenn is the victor 06:44	buy track
5.	scene 5 - those who live in the country 04:37	buy track
6.	scene 6 - I’m the survivor 05:33	buy track
7.	scene 7 - glenn died at the perfect moment 03:17	buy track
8.	scene 8 - the loser was a born loser 10:44	buy track
9.	for glenn gould [bonus track] 14:03
10.	glenn is the victor (excerpt) 01:53
11.	for glenn gould (excerpt) 02:56

about

An opera in one act for solo baritone voice, solo piano and ensemble, David Lang’s the loser has been lauded by the New York Times as a “boldly unconventional” work, and that’s almost putting it mildly. the loser is based on the Thomas Bernhard novel of the same name, in which an anonymous narrator and once-promising concert pianist retells the story of his friend’s suicide. As it turns out, both were students in the same master class, taught by Vladimir Horowitz, as a young Glenn Gould. Playing in the shadow of Gould brings both to the realization that true greatness will never be theirs, wrecking both their lives forever.

Featuring Rod Gilfry (baritone), Conrad Tao (piano) and the Bang on a Can Opera Ensemble conducted by Lesley Leighton, the loser premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2016, and made its West Coast premiere at the LA Opera in early 2019. Tracked in New York and Los Angeles, the studio recording recaptures what the LA Times described as “a mesmerizingly virtuosic performance by Rod Gilfry, destined for the annals of opera.”

credits

released February 7, 2020

Produced and recorded by Nick Lloyd
Ensemble recorded at Sear Sound, New York, NY
Rod Gilfry recorded at Lucy’s Meat Market, Los Angeles, CA
Edited, mixed and mastered by Nick Lloyd at Firehouse 12, New Haven, CT
David Lang’s music is published by Red Poppy, Ltd. (ASCAP)

Rod Gilfry – baritone
Conrad Tao – piano

Bang on a Can Opera Ensemble:
Isabel Hagen – viola
Mariel Roberts – cello
Pat Swoboda – bass
Owen Weaver – percussion
Conducted by Lesley Leighton

A Bang on a Can Opera Production, produced by Kenny Savelson
Commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the 2016 Next Wave Festival
Additional funding was provided by the Multi-Arts Production Fund (MAP), a program of Creative Capital, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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