New York première of Glass’ complete Etudes in a spectacular showcase

Philip Glass performs his music to the film Dracula, alongside the Kronos Quartet at the Philharmonie de Paris.

While Glass' latest music has managed to package and sell a form of experimentalism to the masses, it also sparks debate about style versus substance.

After a successful visit to Bristol two years ago, Glass returns to St George's for a sell-out solo performance as part of Bristol Glassfest celebrating the American minimalist composer's music.

Introduced by Southbank Centre’s artistic director, Jude Kelly, this latest instalment of The Rest is Noise festival felt like one of those events that rarely finds its way into the concert diary. A packed hall witnessed one of those feats of sheer physical, intellectual and emotional energy that you are unlikely to forget.

From the moment I found out that Philip Glass was going to be playing at St George’s Bristol for his only completely solo performance in Britain this year, I knew it was bound to be a special event. I arrived at the venue to see people waiting patiently and hoping for returns at the box office – the hall was packed to maximum capacity with extra seating at the back.

Philip Glass came to Amsterdam for a series of two concerts in the three-year-old Rabozaal theatre of De Melkweg. I attended the second show, billed as “An evening of film music and dance”. Glass himself opened the night playing Metamorphosis II on the piano, apparently because he was asked to do so. Fortunately he did it with great verve and suppleness.