Minimalism

So I thought I'd share some of my favorite music. The last couple years I've been exposed to some really great composers. And others, lots of others, that I just don't care for. But one type of music I've always liked it Minimalism. This was a movement in Art Music in the 60s toward something simpler. The idea behind it is to take a simple idea or motive, and slightly tweak it bit by bit throughout the entire piece. Now some minimalistic music is quite monotonous, but some is just so gorgeous! Here's some of my favorites.

American composer Steve' Reich's Nagoya Marimbas (1994). I love Marimbas. They're so relaxing to listen to. This piece just changes ever so slightly bit by bit but it's so refreshing when those changes come. Beautiful.



American composer Phillip Glass's Symphony no. 3 (1995). This is Movement III. This is a particularly lovely arrangement for cello octet.



American composer John Adams's Shaker Loops (1978). This is the third movement, Hymning Slews. He said he wrote this piece to emulate the rippling of water.



French composer Yann Tiersen's Summer '78 (2003). Tiersen is best known for his soundtracks to Amelie and Goodbye Lenin. This is from Goodbye Lenin.



And my favorite! Arvo Pärt, an Estonian composer, best known for his sacred music. This piece is used in movies and is performed at ASU on a regular basis. The cellists love it I want to perform it so bad. It's particularly difficult for the cellist though. It's called Fratres (1977). Wait till the piano comes in. Gorgeousness!!