[lbo-talk] John Halle's "Mortgaging the Earth"

[Michael Pollak]

A couple of weeks ago, John Halle offered a CD of his music for $25 in
order to raise money for a live performance of this piece.  I just want to
offer a testimonial that this CD would be worth $25 even if if wasn't
going to a good cause.  IMHO, "Mortgaging the Earth" is a brilliant piece.
If you are the kind of person who likes alternative classical music (Bang
On A Can, Kronos, that sort of thing), as well as having the interests in
culture and politics suggested by membership on this list, I think you'll
be totally satisfied.  The title song alone, in conjunction with the
libretto, provided me with exactly the kind of Aha experience I hope for
when I shell out $25 to go to one of these kinds of concerts. And there's
8 more cuts as well.

If you are even slightly tempted, but need more coaxing, write me offlist
and I will be glad to expatiate more precisely about its virtues.  I think
succeeds in surprising ways, both as a piece of music and as a text
setting.

Michael