David Lang's "Pierced / Heroin / Cheating, Lying, Stealing / How to Pray / Wed" is a compelling journey into the world of contemporary classical and free jazz, released in 2008 under the Naxos label. This album showcases the versatility and depth of David Lang's compositional prowess, featuring five distinct pieces that span over a decade of his creative output.
The album opens with "Pierced," a 15-minute exploration of orchestral textures and rhythms, followed by Lang's arrangement of Lou Reed's "Heroin" for voice and cello, a haunting and intimate reinterpretation of the iconic song. "Cheating, Lying, Stealing," originally composed in 1993 and revised in 1995, is a dynamic and energetic piece that highlights the interplay between various instruments. "How to Pray," composed in 2002, is a reflective and introspective work for orchestra, while the album concludes with "Wed," a concise and evocative piece from 1992.
Performances on this album are brought to life by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the ensemble Real Quiet, with notable contributions from David Cossin, Felix Fan, Andrew Russo, and Gil Rose. The album's duration is just over 50 minutes, offering a rich and varied listening experience that underscores David Lang's unique voice in the realm of contemporary music.
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