The Orchestrion Project

Like Nothing You've Ever Seen
Note: My review is based on viewing the Blu-ray Disc in 2D only; I have not seen it in 3D.

This is a fascinating and unusual performance, unlike anything else you've ever seen. For those who followed the progress of this project from its inception and hoped to see it thoroughly documented, it will be very satisfying.

Very briefly, the "Orchestrion" is an immense assemblage of mechanized musical instruments, largely custom designed and built specifically for this project by a number of different artisans in consultation with Metheny. These instruments are "played" in real time by a combination of computer-controlled scores and realtime control. In performance, the majority of the music (all composed and scored by Metheny) is played on the Orchestrion by a computer, while Metheny plays the guitar parts (and some other parts, remote-controlled from his MIDI guitar) live.

This disc, then, is a film of Metheny and the Orchestrion performing the same program...

One of the best recorded visual musical experiences ever...
Don't let any negative reviews of this presentation fool you. Some people just don't get it... and that's just fine. Some of Pat's more eclectic releases (some solo work) are very different from the Metheny Group compositions but they are nonetheless brilliant and do touch a strong chord with many professional musicians who know what good music is. Pat is a musician's musician. There is a truth that CAN be found in this performance that is one of a kind, solely unique and will never be seen any where else. Many of the best musical recordings throughout time are panned when they come out but end up becoming legendary as decades pass and THIS presentation will pass the same test of time... without question.

If you check this performance out and you like Pat and want something state of the art, this is just the performance for you. This could have run 8 hours long and I wouldn't have noticed the time passing. That's how good it is. It is UTTERLY amazing. State of the...

Fabulous!
I just got this and have only watched the bonus songs and the first two songs but I've seen enough to say the audio is crystal clear and the 7.1 channel mixed to perfection, the nature of the performance is of course visually interesting and Pat's playing impeccable as you would expect of any of his releases. Orchestrion grows on you the more you listen to it and I prefer this version to the CD. Oher extras besides the bonus songs. Beautifully filmed in a church. A must have for Metheny lovers!

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