Symphony No. 4, Heroes
Philip Glass
Work background
Researched classical background
Glass based Heroes on material from the David Bowie and Brian Eno album of that name. Six movements develop selected songs into an orchestral symphony connected with a dance collaboration with Twyla Tharp. The music retains recognizable source ideas while extending them through Glass's own structures and repeated patterns. The work belongs to his continuing engagement with popular music as compositional material.
Inspiration and creative background
Bowie and Eno's Heroes album supplied musical material; the project was developed in collaboration with choreographer Twyla Tharp.
Philip Glass official site: Heroes Symphony
1996 composition, Bowie/Eno source album, six movements and Twyla Tharp collaboration | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Listen for familiar song ideas changing scale and orchestral colour through repeated patterns.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1996
Composed in 1996; the dance and concert premieres occurred on different dates. Recording release dates do not date the composition.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Heroes Symphony
Philip Glass official site: Heroes Symphony
1996 composition, Bowie/Eno source album, six movements and Twyla Tharp collaboration | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Philip Glass official site: Heroes Symphony
1996 composition, Bowie/Eno source album, six movements and Twyla Tharp collaboration | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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