Songs of Ascension cover

Songs of Ascension

Meredith Monk · 2011

67 min · 21 tracks · opera · avant-garde music

A transcendent exploration of voice and sound, merging minimalist structures with ethereal vocalizations.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • transcendent vocal explorations
  • meditative focus for reflection
  • gradual ascent through sound
  • immersive listening in solitude

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking immediate gratification
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2011, 'Songs of Ascension' marked a significant moment in Meredith Monk's career as it followed her previous album 'Impermanent Echoes' from 2008. At this point, Monk had solidified her reputation as a pioneering figure in avant-garde music and extended her explorations into expansive sonic landscapes, further integrating her theatrical roots into her musical compositions.
Stylistic neighbors
Joan La Barbara· Tania León· Philip Glass

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Clusters 1 3:17
  • 2 Strand (Gathering) 1:55
  • 3 Winter Variation 1:51
  • 4 Cloud Code 3:32
  • 5 Shift 1:52
  • 6 Mapping 2:07
  • 7 Summer Variation 3:17
  • 8 Vow 3:12
  • 9 Clusters 2 2:28
  • 10 Falling 2:54
  • 11 Burn 4:16
  • 12 Strand (Inner Psalm) 3:12
  • 13 Autumn Variation 2:48
  • 14 Ledge Dance 1:50
  • 15 Traces 1:20
  • 16 Respite 5:57
  • 17 Mapping Continued 1:29
  • 18 Clusters 3 2:09
  • 19 Spring Variation 4:03
  • 20 Fathom 4:37
  • 21 Ascent 9:27

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata