Getty Images: Nancy R. Schiff
Even if you haven’t consciously listened to the works of Steve Reich or Philip Glass, it’s likely that their impact on music has still reached you, especially if you are under the age of 90.
Originating from New York’s 1960s experimental scene, minimalist composers like Philip Glass, Steve Reich, La Monte Young, and Yoko Ono expanded the definition of music itself.
Their innovative concepts have significantly transformed the broader musical landscape, influencing genres far beyond their initial experimental roots.
The essence of their movement can be detected in various modern works, including Brian Eno’s ambient music, Kraftwerk’s electronic rhythms, Radiohead’s evocative soundscapes, as well as the film scores composed by Max Richter and Hans Zimmer.
In celebration of Steve Reich’s 90th birthday on October 3, ABC Classic delves into the essence of minimalist music, its rise as a prominent musical movement over the past century, and its presence in everyday sound experiences.
What defines minimalist music?
ABC Classic presenter Ed Le Brocq describes minimalist music as often harmonically static, or if it does evolve, such changes occur at an incredibly slow pace.
As a response to the increasingly intricate music of the 1950s, minimalism aimed to return to the essence of sound itself, according to Le Brocq.
He traces the origins of minimalism back to the late 19th century, referencing works by French composer Erik Satie, who is known for pieces like “Vexations,” which consists of a short musical phrase repeated 840 times, resulting in performances that can extend for nearly a full day.
Key minimalist composers have also drawn inspiration from jazz, with Le Brocq noting the profound influence of John Coltrane on contemporaries such as Terry Riley, Steve Reich, La Monte Young, and Philip Glass.
Moreover, the genre has roots that extend beyond Western classical traditions, with La Monte Young and Terry Riley being students of the Indian classical musician Pandit Pran Nath.
In essence, minimalist music embodies “simplicity in one direction, allowing complexity in other areas,” with some works blurring the lines between music and performance art.
What does minimalist music sound like?
At times, minimalist music may consist of merely two sustained notes for extended periods, as exemplified by La Monte Young’s “Composition 1960 No. 7,” or a prolonged chord such as in Yves Klein’s “Monotone Symphony.” More commonly, it features repeating musical motifs that gradually evolve.
These “infinite loops” can be identified in compositions like Reich’s pieces, Arvo Pärt’s “Spiegel im Spiegel,” and Philip Glass’s “Etudes” and “Metamorphosis.” Pianist and composer Sally Whitwell, who frequently performs and records works by Reich and Glass, describes the harmonic transitions as “almost glacial,” with patterns slowly morphing into new forms.
However, this simplicity should not be mistaken for ease. Whitwell emphasizes that performing minimalist music demands high technical skill and constant awareness of one’s position as a performer.
What makes minimalist music unique?
Despite the seemingly straightforward nature of some minimalist compositions, Le Brocq notes that the intention is to enable listeners to “perceive more and more from a singular sound.”
Whitwell recalls her experience watching Philip Glass’s four-hour opera “Einstein on the Beach,” which she considers her favorite. She describes it as akin to being enveloped in a massive, enchanting ’70s analog synthesizer. “There was no narrative, yet I found myself in tears due to its beauty,” she reflects.
Whitwell attributes the opera’s emotional impact to the seamless integration of all its components—music, dance, acting, spoken word, and design—each playing an equally vital role.
According to Le Brocq, Steve Reich’s contributions to minimalism have been profoundly influential. “Reich is pivotal because of his development of phase music,” he notes. “He transforms simple sound cells into expansive musical universes through repetition, revealing new patterns.” Le Brocq highlights Reich’s “Different Trains” as one of the most poignant and significant compositions of contemporary times, using recordings of Holocaust survivors’ speech to create a rich tapestry of sound.
How has minimalism shaped popular music?
By the 1970s, minimalist concepts such as repetition, loops, and gradual changes had permeated beyond experimental music into ambient and electronic genres. Le Brocq cites Brian Eno as being heavily influenced by minimalism during this time.
Eno’s 1978 release “Music for Airports,” often recognized as a defining work of the ambient genre, employs layers of tape loops of varying lengths to create a continuous, engaging soundscape. “Everything from micro beats to synth-pop is deeply rooted in loops,” notes Whitwell.
The influence of minimalism, particularly that of Steve Reich, can also be detected in works such as David Bowie’s tracks from his 1977 album “Low” and Radiohead’s compositions from their 1997 album “OK Computer.”
In some instances, the realms of minimalism, avant-garde art, and popular music intersected directly, as illustrated by Yoko Ono, a classical musician and significant figure in New York’s avant-garde scene, who met John Lennon while assisting composer John Cage with his “Notations” project.
How has minimalism impacted film music?
The influence of minimalism is particularly evident in contemporary film and television scores. Le Brocq identifies composers like Max Richter and Hans Zimmer as part of a lineage stemming directly from Philip Glass and Steve Reich, using simple musical motifs, gradual harmonic transitions, and layered textures to craft music that resonates with minimalist traditions.
