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Philip Glass Heroes Symphony CD – David Bowie & Brian Eno – 1997 Point Music

Overview

Released in 1997 on Point Music, Philip Glass's Heroes Symphony is one of the most celebrated crossover works of the minimalist era — a six-movement orchestral reimagining of David Bowie and Brian Eno's landmark 1977 Berlin album. Glass draws on themes from Heroes, Sense of Doubt, V2 Schneider and others, transforming them into a sweeping, continuous symphonic arc that stands as a serious composition in its own right.

This is the original German pressing, catalogue number 454 388-2, presented in the desirable gatefold digipak format with a full-colour booklet — the edition that collectors seek out. Running approximately 43 minutes across six tracks, it sits comfortably alongside Glass's Low Symphony as a cornerstone of his Bowie trilogy.

The title appeals across several collecting worlds: Bowie fans drawn to anything connected to the Berlin trilogy, Brian Eno enthusiasts, and listeners who follow Glass's contemporary classical output. Copies in complete digipak form with intact booklets are increasingly hard to find in honest used condition.

Key Features

Original 1997 Point Music pressing — not a reissue or repress
Catalogue number 454 388-2, manufactured in Germany
Gatefold digipak format — a more collectible presentation than standard jewel case editions
Full-colour booklet panels intact and bright
Six orchestral movements including Heroes, Sense of Doubt, and V2 Schneider
Approx. 43 minutes of music on a single disc
Crossover appeal: Bowie / Eno collectors and contemporary classical fans alike
Barcode: 0028945438825

Specifications

Artist	Philip Glass
Title	"Heroes" Symphony
Related Artists	David Bowie, Brian Eno
Label	Point Music
Catalogue No.	454 388-2
Barcode / EAN	0028945438825
Format	CD Album
Number of Discs	1
Tracks	6
Duration	Approx. 43 minutes
Genre	Classical / Minimalist (Contemporary Classical)
Year of Release	1997
Country of Manufacture	Germany
Packaging	Gatefold digipak with booklet
Edition	Standard (Original pressing)
Language	Instrumental
Original / Reproduction	Original

Condition

Used — Good. An honest used copy of a genuinely desirable title. The gatefold digipak shows its age in the way that late-1990s card sleeves typically do: the spine has visible splitting and fraying at the edges, and the outer card carries light scuffs and shelf wear consistent with over two decades of storage. These are cosmetic and do not affect the structural integrity of the case.

Inside, the booklet pages are bright and undamaged — no tears, writing or water marks. The disc plays: the playing surface has scattered light handling marks and faint swirl marks visible under close inspection in raking light, but no deep scratches are present and the disc should play without issue. There are no cracks to the digipak tray. All original inner panels are present and complete.

Please review the photos carefully — the close-up of the digipak spine and the shot of the disc surface give a clear picture of the wear described above.

Questions Buyers Often Ask

Q: Is this an original pressing or a later reissue? This is the original 1997 Point Music pressing, manufactured in Germany, with catalogue number 454 388-2. It is not a reissue, repress or budget re-release.

Q: Does the disc actually play, given the surface marks? Yes. The marks noted are light handling marks and faint swirl marks typical of a used disc — there are no deep scratches through the data layer. We expect it to play through without skipping or dropouts, but as with all used discs we recommend a gentle clean before first play.

Q: Is the booklet complete and readable? Yes. All booklet panels are present and in bright condition — no torn pages, no writing, no water damage. The gatefold opens fully and all inner panels are intact.

Q: Which tracks from the Bowie "Heroes" album does Glass adapt? The six movements are drawn from: Heroes, Abdulmajid, Sense of Doubt, Moss Garden, Neuköln, and V2 Schneider — all from the original 1977 Bowie/Eno album, reworked into continuous orchestral form.

Q: Is this release related to the Philip Glass "Low Symphony"? Yes — the Heroes Symphony is the companion piece to Glass's Low Symphony (1992), both part of his trilogy of works inspired by the Bowie/Eno Berlin albums. Collectors of one typically seek the other.

Postage & Seller Information

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Questions? Need more photos?
Please don't hesitate to message — we're happy to provide additional close-ups, such as a tighter shot of the spine wear or a specific angle of the disc surface. We aim to respond to all messages the same working day.