Symphony No. 9 (Glass)

Reception#

The symphony has been highly regarded by critics and quickly became a bestseller on iTunes following its U.S. premiere. Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times lauded the work, declaring it “late Glass at his most momentous, a significant symphony by America’s most significant symphonist.” Richard S. Ginell of Variety also praised the work, saying, “The 50-minute-plus Ninth is not Glass’s biggest symphony – that would be the 97-minute, choral Fifth – but it is one of his more imposing pieces, three sprawling movements for a very large symphony orchestra.” Andrew Clements of The Guardian was slightly more critical, but commended the work, noting, “If the music occasionally hangs fire, its craftsmanship, as ever with Glass, is exemplary.”