(photo: myspace.com/sufjanstevens)

Awhile back I came to the realization that I had never posted about Sufjan Stevens, mostly due to the fact that I started QBiM well after the broohaha surrounding Illinois had died down.  It was sort of a badge of honour for me, that I didn’t publicly fall all over myself praising him or the album, even though it truly was one of the best album’s I’d heard in ages.  I imagined that sooner or later, he’d pop up again, hopefully with the next installment in his 50 States project, but I wouldn’t have guess it would take so long for him to release something–anything–for me to post about.

So I guess that streak comes to an end today.  We actually need to start off by backtracking a bit, to 2007, when Stevens premiered a new project called The BQE, “a symphonic and cinematic exploration of New York City’s infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway”.  The presentation included an original film shot by Stevens that was shown while he performed backed by an orchestra, providing a live soundtrack to the film.  The piece was commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was shown for three consecutive nights to sold out audiences.  Now, the whole BQE experience is available for you in your own home, as a multi-media release of the presentation is available on Asthmatic Kitty, Steven’s label.  What you get is a CD of the show’s soundtrack, a DVD of the original film (not a film of the performance), a 40-page booklet with liner notes and photos, and a stereoscopic 3D View-Master reel (I know, who has a ViewMaster anymore?).  You can also get the soundtrack on limited edition vinyl and a 40-page BQE-themed comic book.  I would imagine for the right price, Stevens could be convinced to come and play the soundtrack live in your living room, too.

All kidding aside, The BQE is a pretty impressive piece of music.  Its seven movements and three interludes truly define Stevens’ musical mastery.  It’s reason enough to forgive him the delay in getting the next installment of the 50 States project, too.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens “Movement VI: Isorhythmic Night Dance With Interchanges”
Myspace: Sufjan Stevens