For the last of my delve into Broadway Masterworks recent digital releases, I've taken a listen to Elephant Steps: A Fear Radio Show. I've been a collector for more years than I care to remember, and a reviewer for quite a while too, but I can honestly say I've never heard a recording quite like this.

With Elephant Steps, composer Stanley Silverman and librettist Richard Foreman created a work that remains a prime example of mixed-means theater, where sound and light, language and music, images and movement, graphics and films, incense and machinery, props and performers are incorporated into a spectacular mix. Foreman, the iconic avant-garde theater pioneer and founder of the Ontological-Hysteric Theater, and Silverman, the Obie and Drama Desk winner and classical composer whose Broadway credits include Ah, Wilderness! and Bent, conceived Elephant Steps as a phantasmagorical radio show.

Elephant Steps was once described by Jerome Robbins as reminding him of Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds of 30 years before. Michael Tilson Thomas leads the cast and instrumental ensemble, and even sings one of the roles in this vibrant recording that perfectly evokes the ‘60s zeitgeist in all its psychedelic glory.

For me a recording that lists the artists as Pop Singers, Opera Singers, Orchestra, Rock Band, Electronic Tape, Raga Group, Tape Recorded, Gypsy Ensemble and Elephants is always going to be a strange (and interesting) listen, and credit must go to Tilson Thomas for somehow keeping this lot together.

The results are, well, I'm not sure. Parts of this are modern verging on avante garde, and parts are out and out progressive rock. Surprisingly, there is a story threading through this piece, though you would be hard pushed to spot it, so luckily the booklet included gives you all you need to know.

Again, the production quality from Broadway Masterworks is good, with minimal noise on the recording. The performances are strong, and as I said earlier, it's an interesting listen.

5

Ian Gude