Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Minimalist Music

Terry Riley Turns 90 Minimalist Music Pioneer

Terry Riley is 90-years-old today.

Riley’s music may not be everyone’s cup of “tea” (or cannabis, as the case may be), but there’s no denying his influence on the development of Minimalism, progressive rock, and the avant-garde.

Riley himself has acknowledged his debt to Indian singer Pran Nath. The composer made a number of trips to India to study with and accompany Nath. He returned to share his experiences, teaching Indian classical music at Mills College. Riley has also cited the influence of John Cage and contemporary jazz artists, such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans.

Already in the 1950s, Riley began experimenting with looped tape and time-lag techniques. He also composed using just intonation and microtones. His electronic album “A Rainbow in Curved Air” (released in 1969) became something of a landmark, attracting musicians from across a variety of genres.

Riley’s best-known work is probably “In C,” often credited as the first widely-acknowledged Minimalist composition. The piece was given its premiere at the San Francisco Tape Music Center in 1964, by an ensemble that included Steve Reich, Jon Gibson, Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, and Morton Subotnick, among others.

Much ink has been spilled – and acid dropped – over Riley’s music.

Happy birthday, Terry Riley!

Vibrant performance of hypnotic “In C”

Landmark Columbia Records release

“A Rainbow in Curved Air”

Riley at Holland Festival, with interview, 1977

Riley’s trippy website

http://terryriley.net/

Recent advice from the composer. Terry looking great at 87.

Like that? Here’s more.

June 24, 2025
John Adams at 75 A Composer’s Reflections

To me, John Adams has always embodied the spirit of youth. How the heck, then, did he get to be 75???

Adams is considered by some to be America’s preeminent living composer. Of the generation that emerged from the haze of Minimalism, he is perhaps the one representative least likely to repeat. Arguably the most versatile and substantial of the early proponents of the style, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2003 for his 9/11 memorial “On the Transmigration of Souls.”

Personally, I’ve never found all of his music convincing, and I would include among that his Pulitzer winner. Some of it I find fun (“Short Ride in a Fast Machine,” “Grand Pianola Music”), some of it I find to be quite good (“Shaker Loops,” “El Niño”), some of it I find to be boring, clumsy, or downright embarrassing (“Harmonium”). But undoubtedly everyone will have their own reactions (“Grand Pianola Music” was booed at its premiere), and all are free to assess for themselves.

A new opera is imminent, Adams’ take on Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” – a departure for a composer whose stage works have been rooted in modernity – scheduled for a Los Angeles debut. Samuel Barber notoriously went down in flames for tackling the same subject for the grand re-opening of the Metropolitan Opera House at its current location at Lincoln Center in 1966 (though some would argue, in Barber’s case, it was not for wholly musical reasons).

In common with another illustrious predecessor, Aaron Copland, Adams in his maturity has expanded his activities as a conductor. While wondering what new I could possibly add to the 75th birthday encomiums, I stumbled across this substantial interview, in which he talks about, among other things, the challenges and rewards of conducting Sibelius. As a great admirer of Sibelius’ music myself, I found it to be of interest, even if I’m not sure I entirely agree with all of his assessments.

From a new opera to old synthesizers – Interview with John Adams

Regardless of my own mixed reaction to Adams’ body of work, there’s no arguing against his influence or his standing. Happy birthday on his 75th. Congratulations on his long-term success, and may he enjoy many more!

“Short Ride in a Fast Machine”

“Shaker Loops”

“Nixon in China”

John Adams on conducting

February 15, 2022
Terry Riley at 85 Minimalist Music Pioneer

Terry Riley is 85 years-old today.

Riley’s music may not be everyone’s cup of “tea” (or cannabis, as the case may be), but there’s no denying his influence on the development of Minimalism, progressive rock, and the avant-garde.

Riley himself has acknowledged his debt to Indian singer Pran Nath. The composer made a number of trips to India to study with and accompany Nath. He returned to share his experiences, teaching Indian classical music at Mills College. Riley has also cited the influence of John Cage and contemporary jazz artists, such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans.

Already in the 1950s, Riley began experimenting with looped tape and time-lag techniques. He also composed using just intonation and microtones. His electronic album “A Rainbow in Curved Air” (released in 1969) became something of a landmark, attracting musicians from across a variety of genres.

Riley’s best-known work is probably “In C,” often credited as the first widely-acknowledged Minimalist composition. The piece was given its premiere at the San Francisco Tape Music Center in 1964, by an ensemble that included Steve Reich, Jon Gibson, Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, and Morton Subotnick, among others.

Much ink has been spilled – and acid dropped – over Riley’s music.

Happy birthday, Terry Riley!

“In C”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpYBhX0UH04

“A Rainbow in Curved Air”

Riley at Holland Festival, with interview, 1977

Riley’s trippy website
http://terryriley.net/

June 24, 2020

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS