IMPRESSIONISM	PRIMITIVISM	NEO-CLASSICISM
EXPRESSIONISM	SERIALISM	TOTAL SERIALISM
		*
INDETERMINISM	TEXTURALISM	MINIMALISM
ELECTRONICISM	NEO-ROMANTICISM	ECLECTICISM

MINIMALISM: an appeal to simplicity

	Mondrian "composes" his painting with the simplest of means: repeated black lines and some colors to fill in the resulting rectangles.
Piet Mondrian: Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow	(1937-42)

Background

Minimalism, which first achieved prominence in the 1960's, is a reaction to the complexities and tonal freedom of music found in the 1950's (such as Serialism). It also goes by the name of PROCESS music, PHASE music, PULSE music, and SYSTEMIC music. It is generally quite restrained, often tonal and consisting of very simple materials which repeat frequently, and is often developed by shifting these simple elements out of phase with each other. Minimalism is sometimes combined with Indeterminate elements.

For more information, go to the web sites below:
Encyclopedia article from Encarta
Raw42: Minimalism information
Minimalism in music and painting

Composers associated with Minimalism

• Terry Riley (1935)
• Steve Reich (1936)
• Philip Glass (1937)
• John Adams (1947)

Musical elements

A. Notation

1. Melody generally stays within a diatonic framework.
2. Harmony is generally consonant.
3. Tonality is generally extremely clear.

B. Textures

1. Textures tend to remain constant, even static, for long periods of time.
2. There is frequent use of pedals, ostinati, and drones.
3. Melodies are often expanded with gradual change (new elements interpolated into repetitions, called ADDITIVE PROCESS).
4. Lines and textures are often shifted in and out of phase (accomplished with changes of tempo or an additive process, called PHASE PROCESS).

C. Rhythm

1. There is frequent use of repetitions and rhythmic ostinati.
2. There tends to be a steady pulse for long periods of time.

D. Form

1. Minimalist compositions tend to be lengthy.
2. Forms are generated by whichever "process" is being used.

Analysis projects

• Steve Reich: Music for Pieces of Wood (1973) [ATM #29]

Suggested listening

• Terry Riley: In C (1964)
• Steve Reich: Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ (1973)
• Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians (1976)
• Philip Glass: Einstein on the Beach (1976)
• Philip Glass: Company (1983)

Performance project for entire class:

Terry Riley: In C (1964)
(Click on "In C" link to obtain score and directions)

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