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A Descent Into the Maelström
Classical · 2002 · 18 tracks

A Descent Into the Maelström

Philip Glass

Philip Glass's 2002 soundtrack, 'A Descent Into the Maelström,' is a masterclass in minimalist tension, utilizing orchestral power to evoke a journey into the heart of a terrifying natural phenomenon.

July 19, 2002 · Orange Mountain Music

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This album is a deep dive into the churning, relentless power of nature and the human psyche. Philip Glass's signature minimalist style is perfectly suited to the narrative of 'A Descent Into the Maelström,' building tension with hypnotic string patterns, ominous brass, and percussive urgency. It's a soundtrack that doesn't just accompany a story; it embodies the feeling of being pulled into an inescapable vortex, both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Own this if you crave music that challenges, mesmerizes, and transports you to the edge of the abyss, a truly immersive sonic experience that lingers long after the final note.

Tracklist · 18 Tracks
01
Vertigo
2:10
02
He Is Coerced to Look
2:08
03
Engagement
8:40
04
The Naming
0:54
05
Tranquility
6:05
06
The Beggin
1:08
07
The Strategem
3:48
08
On My Watch and Caught
2:10
09
The Hurricane and Recognition of Death
2:56
10
The Entrance of the Moon
3:03
11
The Sighting
2:42
12
They Enter the Stream
1:16
13
Abandonment
4:16
14
The Brother Becomes a Maniac
2:30
15
The First Mad Rush
2:15
16
Second Perception of Light, Moon, Mist, and Rainbow
6:19
17
The Maelström
8:44
18
Hour of the Slack and Escape
4:05
Moments Worth Listening For
The relentless, churning string ostinato that gradually introduces layers of brass, creating an inescapable sense of impending doom.
A sudden, brief moment of near-silence, punctuated only by a lone, sustained woodwind note, before the full orchestra crashes back in with renewed intensity.
The introduction of a soaring, melancholic cello melody that cuts through the rhythmic density, offering a fleeting glimpse of beauty amidst the chaos.
A climactic passage where the entire ensemble locks into a powerful, accelerating rhythmic pattern, evoking the irresistible pull of the maelstrom itself.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does A Descent Into the Maelström sound next to the rest of Philip Glass's catalogue?

Ocean+4.0σ

Ocean saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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