5 Facts About the 1979 Studio Recording of Einstein on the Beach

It was recorded at Big Apple Recording Studios in New York. The Philip Glass Ensemble performed the recording.

The recording was released in 1979 on CBS Masterworks. This was the first studio recording of the opera.

The ensemble recorded the piece live in the studio. No overdubs or post-production edits were used.

The recording captures the opera’s minimalist structure. It features repetitive patterns and arpeggios typical of Glass’s style.

The release made the opera accessible to a wider audience. Before 1979, Einstein on the Beach was only experienced in live performances.