Thomas Ades: Asyla (III of III)

Lyricism simply does not compensate for the fact that this is ultimately an excursion in poorly organized sound.

there are lots of wonderful little parts but it's sort like like a child racing around his showing off his toys "Look how cool this is!" "And this!" And it definitely is cool, lots of wonderful sounds and noise and rhythms with a massive climactic chord. All time, last forever brilliant though? It may be trite but there's nothing to hum.

Showy as an orchestral vehicle, but there's nothing here that deeply engages the mind or emotions. Some thrills and chills, archly contrived to achieve a certain effect, but in the end this journey through Adès's rather lurid mindscape is one I'd neither care to repeat nor to recommend.

Extraordinary Scherzo and Thrillingly moving last movement (especially from 7:09 on). One of the great works of today's music. Sir Simon knows a good piece when he sees it!

Strange layout of the orchestra. Basses behind the firsts etc

It's the german layout, celli switched with the viola's, and basses in their normal place...

Oh yes, you're absolutely right. There was something next to the celesta that looked like a bass neck :-S

clearly at 2:11 you can see no basses behind the 1st violin. The basses are behind the viola towards the right of the stage

I've watched this over and over again, the best beat I've ever heard in classical music, altough I don't really like the rest of Asyla.

I dont think tame is a label you can apply to this piece!!! I have always liked this piece and the Berlin Phil do a good job on it too.