Search - Michael Daugherty :: Michael Daugherty: American Icons

American Icons

12/24/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Daugherty has exposed a whole new side of classical music in his clever musical portrayals of the people, places and products that have defined twentieth century America. This is a fabulous cd with immense variety- I would highly recommend it to anybody, regardless of their musical taste- there's something for everybody!"

Pop Art meets Modern Music

E. Mason | Hoschotn, GA USA | 12/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone craving modern music that is accessible and doesn't require hours of study to understand and appreciate will love this album. Daugherty is masterful at relating the everyday images we are bombarded with from TV and radio (i.e. Elvis, lawn ornaments, Barbie dolls) and turning them into original and wonderful works of music. Any who switches between pop and classical music genres will really appreciate this album, and Daugherty's ability to span the gap between the two frequently opposing styles and concepts of music.Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in music and discovery subtleties and good motivic and learned compositional techniques will also enjoy this album. Though you will never uncover serial-like complexities in the music, it stall has plenty of substance for the discerning listener.Enjoy!"

Silly and pretentious

E. Mason | 02/12/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This, like most of Daugherty's work, tries way too hard. Daugherty is the self-proclaimed Andy Warhol of contemporary art-music composition, and although he makes a concerted effort to bring the realm of popular culture into his music, it ends up sounding dull, silly, and without any sort of substance. Maybe I am missing the point, and Daugherty is trying to convey these things intentionally, but I am afraid that the music is so uninteresting on all levels--you just don't want to listen to it. I think Daugherty has pigeon-holed himself into this type of composing--so the only things that he might have left in his arsenal will be predictable and pretty much more of the same. 'What's that spell' is more of the same. Upon hearing 'dead elvis' or the 'tombeau de liberace' you can expect what this Barbie piece will be all about. Daugherty shouldn't be so obvious--he should leave some room for listeners to breathe--just as Warhol left much of his work open for discussion...and maybe then, when Daugherty is willing to strive for something more creative, his music might raise a few eyebrows."