Photos from the BIG ODYSSEY performance on January 14, 2011 were featured in LA Weekly! (See slideshow photos 28-37.)
What comes to heart and mind when you think about a year of your life? There’s so much that can happen: love, loss, ecstasy, fulfillment, longing, contemplation, fear, and overcoming obstacles. All of these feelings, and more, are part of the journey that is Odyssey, which was performed on Friday, January 14th at The El Portal Theatre. It’s contemporary classical music with modern and aerial dance that takes the audience on a journey through each month of the year, in one evening, in one hour.
To experience the work of pianist/composer Jeremy Weinglass is to connect to your deepest feelings, whatever they may be. His idyllic and profound work is that of a modern day classical luminary. Weinglass is joined by the equally brilliant Chris Woods on violin, whose performance is powerfully moving, sensual and dynamic.
Their musical bravado guides the story, in which Ben Sayles plays the protagonist who embarks on a voyage to discover himself. He falls in love with the spectacular Michelle “Star” LaVon, who also choreographed the piece. The two continue on their own and meet a number of mesmerizing creatures that include the exquisite aerialist Queen, Sunny Soriano, the dark warrior Michael Tam Wood, and the magnificently enchanted tree, John Pedone, who maneuvers on stilts with grace and ease. Director Stephen Hues (Wagner’s Ring Cycle at LA Opera, Hair), weaves it all together helping to make Odyssey an awakening voyage through the senses that leaves the audience forever changed through a series of magical, heartfelt transformations.
There are few people who are multi-talented these days. Artists who play both a musical instrument and write their own music are difficult to come by. If you had to name one that revolutionized a genre with these abilities you would have to reach as far back as Prince. For someone to combine their talent with a concept album you would have to reach further to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In the Key of Life” which hit on racism, relationships and an un-romanticized look at the past. Those songs are still heard on the radio today and no matter where you are or what you’re doing you stop to listen. That’s what Jeremy Weinglass’ “Odyssey: A Twelve Month Revolution” will do for you.
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Directions: Unwrap CD and Apply Directly to the Soul. This CD was quite a find. Just a sampling reeled me in. Now the entire album has become a favorite soundtrack for creativity in my studio. Enjoy!
This music is brilliant, memorable, moody, and delicious! Jeremy is a one in a million composer who has the ability to open our hearts and minds to new spaces... I never tire of his music and always hear new things the more I listen to the same tracks. The fact that he spent 10 years of artistic pursuit and perseverance in creating this album shows what a dedicated young artist he is. This is an album not to be missed and to be treasured in your collection of favorites!!!
Jeremy Weinglass has a gift that everyone needs to know about!!! This man is living his purpose. He was born to play the piano! In fact if you have the privilege to attend one of his events you will notice that he is so intense that at times it seems as if the piano begins to play him. It is a mesmerizing experience. He has definitely stepped up his game this time around by teaming up with Chris Woods who adds a very passionate violin piece. I simply cannot stop listening to this album and believe that no ones music collection is complete until they buy a copy.
This is truly amazing music that Jeremy Weinglass has put together. The originality and depth is a breath of fresh air. And now he has teamed up with a breathtaking violinist , Chris Woods, to add even more feeling and energy to his work. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who loves piano music.
I've been waiting for this album for a while, and it was certainly worth the wait! Jeremy Weinglass is a brilliant artist whose music gets right into one's soul, and this collaboration with Chris Woods has resulted in such an exquisite wondrous delicacy, a musical adventure not to be missed. Each piece blending seamlessly into the next, this album is a spectacular journey that you'll want to take again and again.
Such a joy to listen too! This album has become a mainstay in my daily routine. I was anxiously awaiting it's release and Jeremy and Chris exceeded all expectations. A beautiful piece of creative genius.
Odyssey is not only a magnificent artistic composition, but a pleasant journey of time and feelings into the musical world. It will open all your senses to perceive each sound that confirms these incredible harmonious melodies. Odyssey will become forever the honey and ambrosia of your soul!
We love this CD! We played it for the processional music at our wedding. As folks were being seated JW's Rock Classics filled the ceremony area. We also played it as the guests left the ceremony area. Our guests were impressed to hear rock classics on the piano while they waited for the wedding to start. My husband and I are old rockers so this CD was a perfect fit for our wedding. Jeremy you're a genius!