12.3 Minimalism and post-minimalism

Minimalism in music emerged in the 1960s, featuring repetitive patterns and gradual transformations. Composers like Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley pioneered techniques like phasing and additive processes, creating hypnotic soundscapes with limited musical materials.

Post-minimalism evolved in the late 1970s, blending minimalist techniques with diverse influences. Composers incorporated more complex harmonies, narrative elements, and technological advancements. This expansion of minimalism's core ideas influenced contemporary classical music and sparked artistic debates.

Minimalist Music Characteristics

Repetitive Patterns and Gradual Transformations

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• Minimalism employs repetitive patterns and drones
• Musical elements transform gradually over extended periods
• Phasing technique creates shifting relationships between identical patterns played at slightly different speeds
• Additive processes gradually introduce or remove musical elements
• Strong emphasis on rhythm and pulse drives minimalist compositions
• Harmonic complexity and traditional melodic development reduced

Limited Musical Materials and Extended Duration

• Compositions utilize a small set of pitches or rhythmic patterns
• Extended duration and static harmony create a sense of timelessness
• Textural layering superimposes multiple repeating patterns
• Complex sonic landscapes emerge from layered patterns
• Process music focuses on the compositional process itself
• Limited materials challenge composers to create engaging works

Pioneering Minimalist Composers

Steve Reich's Innovative Techniques

• "It's Gonna Rain" (1965) and "Come Out" (1966) introduced tape phasing
• Tape phasing laid groundwork for later instrumental compositions
• "Music for 18 Musicians" (1976) exemplifies mature minimalism
• Pulsing patterns, gradual changes, and interlocking rhythms characterize Reich's work
• Reich's compositions often feature percussive elements (vibraphones, marimbas)
• Exploration of speech melodies in works like "Different Trains" (1988)

Philip Glass's Large-Scale Works

• "Einstein on the Beach" (1976) applied minimalist techniques to opera
• Additive processes and repetitive structures feature prominently in Glass's operas
• "Music in Twelve Parts" (1971-74) showcases cyclical harmonic progressions
• Modular compositional techniques define Glass's approach
• Glass often incorporates arpeggiated patterns (synthesizers, woodwinds)
• Film scores like "Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) brought minimalism to wider audiences

Terry Riley's Pioneering Compositions

• "In C" (1964) introduced modular composition to minimalism
• Performers choose when to progress through a series of musical phrases
• "A Rainbow in Curved Air" (1969) explores electronic instruments and tape loops
• Hypnotic, layered textures characterize Riley's electronic works
• Riley's interest in Indian classical music influenced his compositional style
• Improvisational elements often feature in Riley's performances (organ, saxophone)

Development of Post-Minimalism

Expansion of Musical Influences

• Post-minimalism emerged in late 1970s and 1980s
• Composers retained some minimalist techniques while incorporating diverse influences
• More complex harmonies and rhythms allow for greater emotional expression
• Narrative elements become more prominent in post-minimalist works
• World music, jazz, and popular music expand the tonal and timbral palette
• Composers like John Adams blend minimalist techniques with traditional classical forms

Technological Advancements and Structural Flexibility

• Digital sampling and electronic processing create new sonic possibilities
• More flexible approach to form and structure moves away from strict minimalist processes
• Concept of totalism combines minimalist repetition with maximalist density
• Michael Torke's works exemplify post-minimalist orchestration techniques
• Use of technology allows for more intricate layering and sound manipulation
• Virtual instruments and computer-assisted composition expand creative possibilities

Impact of Minimalism vs Post-Minimalism

Influence on Contemporary Classical Music

• Promoted return to tonality and rhythmic regularity in classical composition
• Bridged gap between classical and popular music, increasing accessibility
• Emphasis on process and gradual transformation influenced various genres
• Minimalist techniques widely adopted in film scoring (Philip Glass, John Adams)
• New approaches to orchestration and ensemble writing emerged
• Development of new performance practices (extended techniques, ensemble coordination)

Critical Discourse and Artistic Debates

• Sparked ongoing debates about nature of musical complexity
• Questioned value of repetition and gradual change in composition
• Influenced critical discourse in contemporary music theory and analysis
• Challenged traditional notions of musical development and form
• Inspired cross-disciplinary collaborations (dance, visual arts, theater)
• Minimalist aesthetics influenced architecture and visual arts (Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt)