Minimalism

BeginningsMinimalism began as ‘Systems Music’ in the 1960sFeatures of systems music were repetition, simple melody and slowly changing harmonyStockhausen’s ‘Stimmung’ is an extreme example of this

Terry RileyMinimalism basically started with the music of Terry Riley (b1936)

Riley’s In CIn C consists of 53 repeating motifs which slowly oscillate making various chordsStudy In C with the score and maybe have a go at performing it!Terry Riley's website

Steve ReichReich, who took part in the first performance of In C, was greatly influenced by Riley’s ideas.He developed a style based on the idea of gradual change – of texture, rhythm and harmonyHe also explored the concept of Phase Shifting

Clapping MusicIn this piece, written in 1972, Reich takes one rhythmic pattern and repeats it 156 times.Clap 1 never changes. Clap 2 moves the pattern one quaver forward after each 12th repeat.

Reich’s influences

Philip Glass

Tomasz Sikorski

John Tavener

Mike Oldfield

John Adams

Michael Nyman Arvo Part

Chris Martin

More informationSteve Reich website

Philip Glass website

John Adams website

Favourite minimalist music