George Crumb: Voice of the Whale
Robert Mugge Music Films and Documentaries • 53m
In 1976, Robert Mugge made his first film about American music, GEORGE CRUMB: VOICE OF THE WHALE, a strikingly original work about the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. Notable for its innovative use of color, this documentary portrait includes a full-length performance by the Penn Contemporary Players of Crumb’s 1971 piece “Vox Balaenae for Three Masked Players,” conversations with fellow composer Richard Wernick, samples of the rural gospel music that influenced him, and demonstrations of some of the unique sounds and exotic instruments that are featured in his acclaimed compositions.
“In recent years, George Crumb has been talked about, and praised, more than any other composer of the American avant-garde.” –The New York Times
“A revealing and enlightening film biography of an innovative and original musical talent.” –Landers Film Reviews
DIRECTED BY ROBERT MUGGE
UNITED STATES | 1976 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Up Next in Robert Mugge Music Films and Documentaries
-
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
Decades ahead of his time, composer, keyboard player, bandleader, singer, poet, and philosopher Sun Ra coupled sci-fi images of outer space with those of ancient Egypt, acoustic instruments with electronic ones, and modern American musical genres (jazz, soul, gospel, blues, swing) with traditiona...
-
The Return of Ruben Blades
Music documentarian Robert Mugge follows the distinguished actor, musician and activist Rubén Blades to Harvard, where he gets his master’s degree in international law; to his old neighborhood in his native Panama; to Los Angeles for a recording session with Linda Ronstadt; and finally to New Yor...
-
Saxophone Colossus Featuring Sonny Ro...
Renowned music documentarian Robert Mugge presents an in-depth portrait of tenor saxophone master Sonny Rollins, among the greatest artists in jazz history. Named after one of Rollins' best-known albums, this 1986 film presents an ensemble performance in upstate New York and the world premiere of...
