MINIMALIST DREAM HOUSE_ Katia & Marielle Labèque 4814468

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Produced by Katia Labèque & David Chalmin II.Stroking _ _ Postlude

o Pianos Prelude 5 Tw Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Chalmin in Studio KML Recorded, mixed and mastered by David n I.Dipping _ s Prelude 7 _ Interlude 4 _ Acts _ me Curve Preludes me Curve Preludes Ti ter Dances Hymn to a Great City Experiences, I. -12 Michael Nyma

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_ _The _ Images _ Four Movements for _ Four Movements CD_1 1-4 Philip Glas Featuring: bass & electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 4, 5, 9 & 10) DAVID CHALMIN ______vocals, guitars, & electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 & 10) RAPHAËL SÉGUINIER ______drums, percussion (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 & 10) NICOLA TESCARI ______keyboards, electronics 5 Cage _ 6 7 Philip Glass _ _ 8-10 William Duckworth 8-10 William Duckworth 11 13-17 Howard Skempton

MINIMALIST DREAM HOUSE_ Katia & Marielle Labèque 4814468 VOL_1 Philip Glass Michael Nyman two pianos / 2008 two pianos / 1985-2011 _ Four Movements for Two Pianos _ Water Dances 1_ I 05:59 Katia & Marielle Labèque 11_ I.Dipping 04:48 Katia & Marielle Labèque 2_ II 05:38 Katia & Marielle Labèque 12_ II.Stroking 06:35 Katia & Marielle Labèque 3_ III 06:48 Katia & Marielle Labèque 4_ IV 05:16 Katia & Marielle Labèque Howard Skempton piano solo / 1989 John Cage _ Images two pianos / 1945 13_ Interlude 4 01:21 Marielle Labèque 5_ _ Experiences, I. 02:19 Katia & Marielle Labèque 14_ Prelude 5 03:03 Marielle Labèque 15_ Interlude 5 00:52 Marielle Labèque Arvo Pärt 16_ Prelude 7 02:32 Marielle Labèque two pianos / 1984-2004 6_ _ Hymn to a Great City 03:18 Katia & Marielle Labèque Howard Skempton piano solo / 1978 Philip Glass 17_ _ Postlude 01:48 Marielle Labèque piano solo / 2002-2003 7_ _ The Poet Acts 03:42 Katia Labèque (Music from the Hours for piano transcribed by Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly) •Total vol_1 01:01:06 William Duckworth piano solo / 1977-1978 _The Time Curve Preludes 8_ I 02:27 Marielle Labèque 9_ II 02:08 Katia Labèque 10_ XVII 02:32 Marielle Labèque

VOL_2 David Chalmin Terry Riley 2011 two pianos+band / 1964 1_ _Gameland 06:06 Katia & Marielle Labèque 9_ _ In C 28:58 Katia & Marielle Labèque David Chalmin, Raphaël Séguinier David Chalmin, Raphaël Séguinier Nicola Tescari Nicola Tescari William Duckworth Raphaël Séguinier piano solo / 1977-1978 2011 _The Time Curve Preludes 10_ _ Free to X 05:03 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin 2_ VII 03:18 Katia Labèque Raphaël Séguinier, Nicola Tescari 3_ XII 02:56 Katia Labèque

Radiohead •Total vol_2 01:08:09 piano and vocals 4_ _ Pyramid Song 05:10 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin Brian Eno 1975 5_ _ In Dark Trees 03:49 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin Raphaël Séguinier, Nicola Tescari Aphex Twin piano 4 hands / 2001 6_ _ Avril 14th 02:11 Katia & Marielle Labèque

Michael Nyman two pianos / 1985-2011 _ Water Dances 7_ IV.Gliding 04:43 Katia & Marielle Labèque 8_ V.Synchronising 05:55 Katia & Marielle Labèque Minimalism: an introduction in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time showcase minimalist works from each of the past five decades. lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for Raphaël Séguinier To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) twothe orend three of theyears. 1960s. But theThat transfer decade of saw these a groupideas toof liveAmerican instrumentation beatniks In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became _ band andoverthrow the positive the musical reaction givens to the of resultspostwar was Europe. a momentous In a series of event disobedi- for the known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and "the whole first line of In C. It just sort of came into my ear". Steve Reich Séguinier, members of Triple Sun.. Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the Fransiscoconventional Tape centres Music of musical Center inpower, 1964 the and earliest added minimalist the all-important works got drone ceases to (b. be 1937) so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a requirementtheir first public to sustain audience an eighth in the note La pulse Monte throughout. Young 1960-61 Chamber Philip Glass •cacophony Four Movements of electronic (2008) noise. Street Series that took place in Yoko Ono's New York loft. The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It _ two pianos

consistsThrough of the 53 1960s,numbered the melodic minimalists phrases, slowly mostly demystified, short, each democratised of which Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's areand repeated Americanised at liberty. European Musicians modernism. must play "I don'tthe phrases know any in sequencesecrets of more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely butstructure may drop that out you and can't rejoin hear," at declaredany time. SteveShapes Reich appear in his 1968 and disappear. minimal- minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to Theist manifesto, acoustic affect Music is as not a dissimilar Gradual Process. to the shape-shifting Minimalism claimed of flocks that of create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- birds.there Somewas enough of these interest figures incan the be sounding curiously processfamiliar. Someitself tohave sustain heard a ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are Brucknerwork. If one materialise removed the in thecomplications triadic repetitions that were obscuring of the 29th the phrase. natural themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- Elsewherebeauties of Indonesian rhythm and andsound, Indian what musical would be phrases discovered waft could into earshot. happily tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts Everyoccupy musical composers idea, however, for the next is soon fifty years.dashed They against were the right. aleator Minimalism ic rocks. in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- was the last great musical movement of the 20th century. And it became ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. Thethe simplicitymost influential of the work,and successful the looseness ism of thethem rules, all. the joys of the close collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates mostThese popular two CDs minimalist offer highlights works ever from written. the 50 Years of Minimalism festival. between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a We look back to those classical composers who influenced the school. second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and

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Minimalism: an introduction music of Bernard Herrmann. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. music of Bernard Herrmann. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. showcase minimalist works from each of the past five decades. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. Raphaël Séguinier To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- (England, 1985) (b. 1971) Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- Radiohead (England, 1985) Aphex Twin (b. 1971) the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. •Radiohead Pyramid Song (2001) •Aphex Avril 14th Twin (2001) in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time _ band In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even William Duckworth (1943-2012) creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant William Duckworth (1943-2012) Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands two or three years. But the transfer of these ideas to live instrumentation ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen _ solo piano then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow and the positive reaction to the results was a momentous event for the Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most _ solo piano melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build Séguinier, members of Triple Sun.. ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "the whole first line of In C. It just sort of came into my ear". Steve Reich conventional centres of musical power, the earliest minimalist works got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's quite) into a minor key. fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a John Cage (1912-1992) tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San their first public audience in the La Monte Young 1960-61 Chamber John Cage (1912-1992) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. quite) into a minor key. drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his cacophony of electronic noise. Philip Glass (b. 1937) • Experiences No. 1 (1945) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Howard Skempton (b. 1947) drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his Fransisco Tape Music Center in 1964 and added the all-important Street Series that took place in Yoko Ono's New York loft. • Experiences No. 1 (1945) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong Howard Skempton (b. 1947) The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the • Four Movements (2008) _ two pianos second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirement to sustain an eighth note pulse throughout. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. Through the 1960s, the minimalists slowly demystified, democratised The great city of the title is New York. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey The great city of the title is New York. influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant _ solo piano unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It and Americanised European modernism. "I don't know any secrets of This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie hammers). _ solo piano to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in Brian Eno (b. 1948) Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which structure that you can't hear," declared Steve Reich in his 1968 minimal- as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece hammers). for a hidden world. Brian Eno (b. 1948) Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had Philip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not for a hidden world. • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence ist manifesto, Music as a Gradual Process. Minimalism claimed that under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the •Philip The Poet Glass Acts (2004) is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. there was enough interest in the sounding process itself to sustain a convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin Michael Nyman (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- •Michael Water Dances Nyman 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he David Chalmin (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of work. If one removed the complications that were obscuring the natural mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- • Water Dances 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he David Chalmin (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard beauties of rhythm and sound, what would be discovered could happily was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth dancing bells in the right then fading away. ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's occupy composers for the next fifty years. They were right. Minimalism that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become dancing bells in the right then fading away. Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one was the last great musical movement of the 20th century. And it became piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. the most influential and successful ism of them all. something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close These two CDs offer highlights from the 50 Years of Minimalism festival. _ two pianos Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the We look back to those classical composers who influenced the school. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of fight each other for the pitches near B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for most popular minimalist works ever written. second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the fight each other for the pitches near B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. clefRadiohead ostinato. The third(England, is the 1985)longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was ed• rhythmicallyPyramid Song and (2001) harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old Aphexfrom the Twin beginning (b. 1971) of the movement associated with spiritual ways of Romantic_ voice and struggle piano between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- • Avrilthinking. 14th (2001) The connection between religion and minimalism was even ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the _ piano,closer four in communist hands Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant secondPyramid piano. Song, Syncopations which was released and fast on ostinati Radiohead's propel 2001 it forward album andAmne you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen ultimatelysiac, confirmed shatter itthe in spectacularband's role style.as Britain's leading rock experimental- Thereas a are happy few thirdminimalists way. The who Estonian can resist Arvo flirting Pärt developed with Satie atone some of the point most ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The in sophisticatedtheir lives. And minimalist Richard D.languages James (aka - one Aphex that was Twin) based is no on exception. the evoca - drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - (1912-1992) Jamestion of threw bells. minimalism This tintinnabular onto hot style coals can in be the heard 1980s, in thismelding short ambienttwo-piano Johnthe major Cage and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern • Experiences No. 1 (1945) soundspiece to in a the techno repeated pulse. G By sharps the time and of thethe suddenalbum Drukqs, high cartwheels. however, his The sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect _ two pianos music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the finestcadence is Avril in 14th every which bar. Thisloops refrain on a catchylends the little piece melody. an incantatory quality. ThisBrian slow, Enocareful, (b. unaccented 1948) work for two pianos is as light and holey The great city of the title is New York. as• aIn SwissDark Trees cheese. (1975) It was written at a time when Cage was coming Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) under_ band the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had _ bandPhilip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) mind,"I can thus remember making veryit susceptible clearly ... tothis divine image influences." of a dark, inkyCage's blue response forest with "Music_solo Like piano None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San wasmoss to seekhanging a kind off ofand musical you could Tai Chi:hear slow-moving horses off in musical the distance exercises all the Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry thattime, would these incorporate horses kind silence. of neighing, The work whinnying."was written Infor Dark a new Trees dance is a Riley'sNo survey In C. Experimentalof minimalism yetwould unthreatening, be complete aleatoric without ayet look clear, at the Riley's wealth piecetranscription by his boyfriend of Brian MerceEno's Cunningham.memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. workof film epitomised music of thethe quietlypast thirty audacious years, where nature the of movement minimalism. has "No become one The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked couldsomething remember of a thehouse last style.experimental The man composer who kicked who off had the usedlove affaira key is Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) signature,Philip Glass. much One less of Glass's written most anything successful in C major," recent explainedscores was fellow for the Arvomoves Pärt at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the _ two pianos composer William Duckworth. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the In 2004.C is the The first Poet minimalist Acts is classic.the brooding, The piece barcarolle-like became a firstcalling movement card for of Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia

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Minimalism:Minimalism: an an introduction introduction music of Bernard Herrmann. showcaseshowcase minimalist minimalist works works from from each each of ofthe the past past five decades. five decades. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was thethe piano piano suite. suite. TheThe Twelfth Twelfth is isboth both the the most most straightforward straightforward and and the the most most rhythmically rhythmically writtenwritten for for a a 1984 1984 documentary documentary film film by by Peter Peter Greenaway Greenaway about about kinkkink in inthe the surface surface patterning. patterning. The The interludes interludes are are more more contemplative. contemplative. Aphex Twin (b. 1971) in in 1968. 1968. Riley Riley had had in in fact fact been been looping looping aleatorically, aleatorically, creating creating time time RaphaëlRaphaël Séguinier Séguinier ToTo be be musically musically avant-garde avant-garde in inthe the 1950s 1950s meant meant to tobe be difficult. difficult. Not Not by by ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complexcomplex of of all all the the Duckworth Duckworth here. here. The The pulse pulse constantly constantly changes, changes, synchronisedsynchronised swimming, swimming, Making Making a Splash,a Splash, (Nyman's (Nyman's 13th 13th collaboration collaboration FourFour betrays betrays Skempton's Skempton's love love of ofThe The Beatles Beatles in inits its syncopative syncopative direct direct- - Radiohead (England, 1985) • Avril 14th (2001) laggedlagged phases phases and and flavouring flavouring them them with with Oriental Oriental melodic melodic patterning patterning for for • Free• Free to toX (2011)X (2011) (world (world premiere premiere recording) recording) thethe end end of ofthe the 1960s. 1960s. That That decade decade saw saw a groupa group of ofAmerican American beatniks beatniks In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. _ _ band In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even William Duckworth(1943-2012) (1943-2012) creatingcreating a aflickering flickering effect effect in inthe the octave octave ostinato, ostinato, out out of ofwhich, which, withwith the the director), director), is isheard heard here here in ina anew new arrangement arrangement for for two two pianos. pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) piano, four hands twotwo or orthree three years. years. But But the the transfer transfer of ofthese these ideas ideas to tolive live in strumentationinstrumentation _ band overthrowoverthrow the the musical musical givens givens of ofpostwar postwar Europe. Europe. In Ina series ofa series of disobedi- disobedi- known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the William Duckworth known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant • Time• Time Curve Curve Preludes Preludes (1977-78) (1977-78) excerpts excerpts - No. - No. 1, 1,2, 2,7, 7,10, 10, 12 12 and and 17 17 Riley-like,Riley-like, an an Indian Indian melody melody appears. appears. It Itstrives strives for for the the major major seventh seventh TheThe half-hour half-hour work work is isa wealtha wealth of ofcarefully carefully balanced balanced stylistic stylistic contradic contradic- - _ voice and piano andand the the positive positive reaction reaction to tothe the results results was was a momentousa momentous event event for for the the entlyently straightforward straightforward compositions, compositions, La La Monte Monte Young, Young, Terry Terry Jennings, Jennings, malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen _ solo_ solo piano piano thenthen suddenly suddenly climbs climbs an an octave octave and and retires retires in inthis this new new idyll. idyll. The The same same tions:tions: Baroque Baroque figures figures in in Minimalist Minimalist clothes, clothes, coloured coloured with with Romantic Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and TerryTerry Riley, Riley, Steve Steve Reich Reich and and Philip Philip Glass Glass declared declared that that music music could could be be Séguinier,Séguinier, members members of ofTriple Triple Sun.. Sun.. ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most melodicmelodic pattern pattern returns returns in inPrelude Prelude XVII XVII but but in ina morea more listless listless frame frame of of harmonies.harmonies. The The work work builds builds to to a a energetic energetic conclusion conclusion capped capped by by a a motionmotion waltz. waltz. The The second second peers peers ever ever so so briefly briefly into into the the pained pained harmonic harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "the"the whole whole first first line line of ofIn InC. C. It justIt just sort sort of ofcame came into into my my ear". ear". Steve Steve Reich Reich combinescombines it withit with the the drones drones of ofLa La Monte Monte Young. Young. Both Both grow grow and and build build clear,clear, honest, honest, pretty pretty and and experimental. experimental. Turning Turning their their backs backs on on the the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. worldworld of of a aShostakovich Shostakovich prelude. prelude. The The third third is is a atoy toy march: march: quiet quiet and and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a (aneighbour neighbour of ofRiley's Riley's in inSan San Fransisco) Fransisco) premiered premiered the the work work at atthe the San San untiluntil complication complication pushes pushes them them into into a lessa less controllable controllable realm. realm. Here Here the the WilliamWilliam Duckworth's Duckworth's Time Time Curve Curve Preludes Preludes mark mark the the end end of ofminimalism's minimalism's mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. conventionalconventional centres centres of ofmusical musical power, power, the the earliest earliest minimalist minimalist works works got got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano quite)quite) into into a minora minor key. key. fragile.fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his FransiscoFransisco Tape Tape Music Music Center Center in in 1964 1964 and and added added the the all-important all-important dronedrone ceases ceases to to be be so so friendly friendly and and swallows swallows the the rhythmic rhythmic pulse pulse in in a a (b. 1937) John Cage (1912-1992) austereaustere first first phase phase and and the the start start of ofsomething something much much looser looser and and freer. freer. theirtheir first first public public audience audience in in the the La La Monte Monte Young Young 1960-61 1960-61 Chamber Chamber PhilipPhilip Glass Glass (b. 1937) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirementrequirement to tosustain sustain an an eighth eighth note note pulse pulse throughout. throughout. cacophonycacophony of ofelectronic electronic noise. noise. • Four Movements (2008) • Experiences No. 1 (1945) Duckworth'sDuckworth's ground-breaking ground-breaking piano piano cycle cycle was was "the "the first first major major work work that that HowardHoward Skempton Skempton (b. (b. 1947) 1947) StreetStreet Series Series that that took took place place in inYoko Yoko Ono's New Ono's New York York loft. loft. • Four Movements (2008) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect DespiteDespite the the added added complications, complications, all all the the preludes preludes maintain maintain a astrong strong TheThe final final piece piece from from this this miniaturist miniaturist is ishis his stand-alone stand-alone Postlude, Postlude, one one of of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. _ two pianos _ two pianos soundedsounded minimalist minimalist but but refused refused to to satisfy satisfy minimalist minimalist expectations", expectations", • Images• Images (1989) (1989) excerpts excerpts - Prelude,- Prelude, Interlude Interlude 4, 4,Prelude Prelude 5, 5,Interlude Interlude 5, 5, _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. relationshiprelationship to tominimalism's minimalism's first first phase phase in inthe the drones drones that that the the piano piano is is thethe most most economical economical and and evocative evocative that that he he ever ever wrote. wrote. In In a aseries series of of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. TheThe work work is isof ofindeterminate indeterminate length length and and indeterminate indeterminate instrumentation. instrumentation. It It wrotewrote critic critic Kyle Kyle Gann. Gann. Unlike Unlike the the first first generation, generation, Duckworth Duckworth wears wears his his PreludePrelude 7, 7,Postlude Postlude (1978) (1978) ThroughThrough the the 1960s, 1960s, the the minimalists minimalists slowly slowly demystified, demystified, democratised democratised The great city of the title is New York. meantmeant to to sustain sustain (through (through pedalling pedalling or or weighing weighing down down the the relevant relevant unresolvedunresolved chord, chord, over over the the space space of ofjust just two two minutes, minutes, the the piece piece appears appears consistsconsists of of53 53 numbered numbered melodic melodic phrases, phrases, mostly mostly short, short, each each of ofwhich which Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey influencesinfluences without without shame. shame. Bluegrass, Bluegrass, plainchant, plainchant, the the music music of ofErik Erik Satie Satie _ solo_ solo piano piano Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) andand Americanised Americanised European European modernism. modernism. "I don't"I don't know know any any secrets secrets of of Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's hammers).hammers). to totravel travel far far and and wide, wide, each each vertical vertical an an atmospheric atmospheric tableau tableau standing standing in in areare repeated repeated at atliberty. liberty. Musicians Musicians must must play play the the phrases phrases in insequence sequence more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming andand Keith Keith Jarrett Jarrett all all rear rear their their head head at atvarious various points points in inthis this 24-piece 24-piece Brian Eno (b. 1948) _ band structurestructure that that you you can't can't hear," hear," declared declared Steve Steve Reich Reich in inhis 1968 his 1968 minimal- minimal- more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely forfor a hiddena hidden world. world. butbut may may drop drop out out and and rejoin rejoin at atany any time. time. Shapes Shapes appear appear and and disappear. disappear. minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had Philip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cyclecycle for for solo solo piano. piano. There's There's a folk-likea folk-like freshness freshness to toPrelude Preludes I.s TheI. The first first MinimalistsMinimalists are are mostly mostly maximilists maximilists when when it it comes comes to to duration. duration. Not Not • In Dark Trees (1975) istist manifesto, manifesto, Music Music as as a a Gradual Gradual Process. Process. Minimalism Minimalism claimed claimed that that minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to TheThe acoustic acoustic affect affect is is not not dissimilar dissimilar to to the the shape-shifting shape-shifting of of flocks flocks of of create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) is is playful playful and and gambols gambols around around a a bright bright E E flat flat major major and and its its maudlin maudlin Michael Nyman (b. (b. 1944) 1944) HowardHoward Skempton. Skempton. He He is is one one the the very very few few minimalist minimalist miniaturists. miniaturists. He He _ band "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San therethere was was enough enough interest interest in inthe the sounding sounding process process itself itself to tosustain sustain a a create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- Michael Nyman birds.birds. Some Some of ofthese these figures figures can can be be curiously curiously familiar. familiar. Some Some have have heard heard ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano majormajor seventh. seventh. Prelude Prelude II isII isstructured structured around around a dynamica dynamic arc, arc, the the synco synco- - • Water• Water Dances Dances 2012 2012 (first (first recording) recording) beganbegan his his musical musical life life in inthe the orbit orbit of ofCornelius Cornelius Cardew, Cardew, with with whom whom he he DavidDavid Chalmin Chalmin (b. (b. 1980) 1980) Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry work.work. If oneIf one removed removed the the complications complications that that were obscuring were obscuring the the natural natural ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are BrucknerBruckner materialise materialise in in the the triadic triadic repetitions repetitions of of the the 29th 29th phrase. phrase. themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises patedpated Cs Cs of of the the left left hand hand gradually gradually overwhelming overwhelming the the minor minor modal modal _ two_ two pianos pianos foundedfounded the the experimental experimental Scratch Scratch Orchestra Orchestra in in1969, 1969, and and in inthis this environ environ- - • Gameland• Gameland (2011) (world (2011) (world premiere premiere recording) recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's beautiesbeauties of ofrhythm rhythm and and sound, sound, what what would would be be discovered discovered could could happily happily themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- ElsewhereElsewhere Indonesian Indonesian and and Indian Indian musical musical phrases phrases waft waft into into earshot. earshot. that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth dancingdancing bells bells in inthe the right right then then fading fading away. away. mentment he he fashioned fashioned a adistinctive distinctive musical musical language language through through a aseries series of of _ band_ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one occupyoccupy composers composers for for the the next next fifty fifty years. years. They They were were right. right. Minimalism Minimalism turaltural dynamic dynamic of ofthis this work. work. But But it noit no longer longer dominates. dominates. The The piece piece starts starts Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become MichaelMichael Nyman Nyman is isone one of ofthe the most most important important minimalists minimalists to tocome come from from Satie-likeSatie-like piano piano pieces. pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. waswas the the last last great great musical movement musical movement of ofthe the 20th 20th century. century. And And it became it became in inmid-melodic mid-melodic flight. flight. A denseA dense web web of ofcross-rhythms cross-rhythms ensnares ensnares the the open open- - ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozyA woozy dissonance dissonance rears rears its its head head in inPrelude Prelude VII, VII, scattered scattered rhythmically rhythmically outsideoutside America. America. He He coined coined the the term term minimalism minimalism in inan an article article for for The The Chalmin'sChalmin's Gameland Gameland begins begins in inan an experimental experimental mood, mood, the the pianist pianist and and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow thethe most most influential influential and and successful successful ism ism of ofthem them all. all. ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. TheThe simplicity simplicity of ofthe the work, work, the the looseness looseness of ofthe the rules, rules, the the joys joys of ofthe the close close There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the accordingaccording to toa Fibonaccia Fibonacci number number sequence sequence giving giving an an asymmetry asymmetry to tothe the SpectatorSpectator magazine magazine in in 1968 1968 and and shaped shaped the the language language of of the the new new Skempton'sSkempton's Images Images are are a seta set of ofsolo solo piano piano works works composed composed for for a photoa photo- - guitarsguitars investigating investigating the the innards innards of oftheir their instrument. instrument. The The piece piece then then shifts shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked composer William Duckworth. There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought Arvo Pärt collaborativecollaborative listening listening that that the the work work demands demands have have made made it oneit one of ofthe the Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-handleft-hand figuration. figuration. Prelude Prelude X hasX has a Latina Latin American American quality quality in inits its springy springy movementmovement in ina highlya highly personal personal and and hugely hugely popular popular direction. direction. His His music music graphicallygraphically focused focused 1989 1989 Channel Channel Four Four TV TV series. series. The The preludes preludes evoke evoke intointo a a highly highly chromatic chromatic and and punchy punchy dance dance in in 12/8 12/8 that that is is slowly slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music TheseThese two two CDs CDs offer offer highlights highlights from from the the 50 50 Years Years of ofMinimalism festival. Minimalism festival. andand one one more more furtive furtive one. one. The The second second movement movement is isslow. slow. It alternatesIt alternates _ two pianos most popular minimalist works ever written. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combinescombines the the propulsion propulsion and and puzzles puzzles of ofthe the Baroque Baroque with with the the lyricism lyricism thethe play play of ofthe the waves. waves. In Inthe the first, first, right right and and left left hand hand ricochet ricochet off off each each overwhelmedoverwhelmed by by two two menacing menacing minor minor seconds. seconds. There There is isa threateninga threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for most popular minimalist works ever written. WeWe look look back back to tothose those classical classical composers composers who who influenced influenced the school. the school. betweenbetween two two moods: moods: one one downcast downcast and and harmonically harmonically uneasy uneasy and and a a major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricalitytheatricality to tothe the encounter encounter between between the the musical musical ideas ideas that that recalls recalls the the Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and secondsecond dominated dominated by by a tendera tender ballad ballad that that soars soars over over a glintinga glinting treble treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of fightfight each each other other for for the the pitches pitches near near B. B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and music of Bernard Herrmann. kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. writtenthe piano for suite. a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. withWilliam the director), Duckworth is heard here (1943-2012) in a new arrangement for two pianos. creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, The• Timehalf-hour Curve work Preludes is a wealth (1977-78) of carefully excerpts balanced - No. 1, 2,stylistic 7, 12 andcontradic 17 - Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of tions:_ solo Baroque piano figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears headyWilliam melody Duckworth's that wouldn't Time soundCurve Preludesout of place mark at the endtop ofof theminimalism's charts. mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. quite) into a minor key. for a hidden world. HowardDuckworth's Skempton ground-breaking (b. 1947) piano cycle was "the first major work that • Imagessounded (1989) minimalist excerpts but - Interlude refused 4, to Prelude satisfy 5, minimalist Interlude 5, expectations", Prelude 7, Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong (b. 1980) Postludewrote critic (1978) Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his relationshipDavid Chalmin to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) _ soloinfluences piano without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant _ band and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece hammers). Minimalistscycle for solo are piano. mostly There's maximilists a folk-like when freshness it comes to Prelude to duration.s I. The Not first Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and Howardis playful Skempton. and gambols He is one around the avery bright few E minimalist flat major miniaturists. and its maudlin He (b. 1944) Michaelguitars investigating Nyman the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts beganmajor his seventh. musical Prelude life in IIthe is structuredorbit of Cornelius around aCardew, dynamic with arc, whom the synco he - • Water Dances 2012 (first recording): excerpts – No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly foundedpated the Cs experimental of the left hand Scratch gradually Orchestra overwhelming in 1969, and the in this minor environ modal- _ two pianos overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening mentdancing he fashioned bells in the a distinctiveright then fadingmusical away. language through a series of theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the Satie-like piano pieces. Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from music of Bernard Herrmann. A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Skempton'saccording Images to a Fibonacci are a set number of solo sequencepiano works giving composed an asymmetry for a photo to the- Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new graphicallyleft-hand figuration.focused 1989 Prelude Channel X has Four a Latin TV Americanseries. The quality preludes in its evokespringy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music themajor play seventhsof the waves. and minor In the chromatic first, right run and arounds, left hand as ricochet left and rightoff each hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism otherfight gently. each otherIn Seven for thethe pitchesbobbing near is more B. lively. In Five a wind injects a and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally

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mostRaphaël popular minimalist Séguinier works ever written. • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) Minimalism:Minimalism: an an introduction introduction musicRadiohead of Bernard Herrmann.(England, 1985) ricochetsAphex and Twin atmospheric (b. 1971) guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) _ band showcaseshowcase minimalist minimalist works works from from each each of ofthe the past past five decades. five decades. clefclef ostinato. ostinato. The The third third is isthe the longest longest movement movement and and the the most most complicat complicat- - monastery.monastery. The The act act of ofstripping stripping sound sound down down to toits its bare bare essentials essentials was was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. Rileytwo andor three the Americanyears. But minimalists the transfer when of these it was ideas recorded to live inbystrumentation Columbia To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by eded rhythmically rhythmically and and harmonically. harmonically. There There is iseven even the the sense sense of ofa gooda good old old fromfrom the the beginning beginning of ofthe the movement movement associated associated with with spiritual spiritual ways ways of of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- (England, 1985) (b. 1971) in and 1968. the Rileypositive had reaction in fact to been the results looping was aleatorically, a momentous creating event for time the the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks Radiohead Aphex Twin RaphaëlFree to X starts Séguinier with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks In Inthe the spirit spirit of ofLa La Monte Monte Young's Young's 1960s 1960s loft loft experiments (which experiments (which became became RomanticRomantic struggle struggle between between keys keys (F (Fmajor major and and F minor).F minor). The The final final move move- - thinking.thinking. The The connection connection between between religion religion and and minimalism minimalism was was even even creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) laggednew movement. phases and The flavouring piece came them to with Riley Oriental one night melodic on the patterning bus. He heard for • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- William Duckworth (1943-2012) Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- knownknown as as the the Dream Dream House House concerts), concerts), we we also present new also present new post-mini post-mini- - mentment begins begins with with a alow, low, richly richly harmonised harmonised and and snaky snaky melody melody on on the the closercloser in in communist communist Eastern Eastern Europe. Europe. Here, Here, where where dissonance dissonance meant meant Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands two"the or wholethree years.first line But of the In C.transfer It just ofsort these of came ideas into to livemy inear".strumentation Steve Reich _ band ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, malistmalist works works by by musician-composers, musician-composers, David David Chalmin Chalmin and and Raphaël Raphaël secondsecond piano. piano. Syncopations Syncopations and and fast fast ostinati ostinati propel propel it itforward forward and and youyou were were a traitora traitor and and tonality tonality a lackeya lackey of ofthe the state, state, minimalism minimalism was was seen seen then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow and(a theneighbour positive of reaction Riley's into San the Fransisco)results was premiered a momentous the work event at for the the San Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be _ solo piano ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be Séguinier,Séguinier, members members of ofTriple Triple Sun.. Sun.. ultimatelyultimately shatter shatter it init inspectacular spectacular style. style. asas a happya happy third third way. way. The The Estonian Estonian Arvo Arvo Pärt Pärt developed developed one one of ofthe the most most melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point newFransisco movement. Tape The Music piece Centercame to inRiley 1964 one and night added on the thebus. all-important He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his cacophony of electronic noise. clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the sophisticatedsophisticated minimalist minimalist languages languages - one - one that that was was based based on on the the evoca evoca- - mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "therequirement whole first toline sustain of In C.an It eighth just sort note of pulsecame throughout.into my ear". Steve Reich combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build conventionalconventional centres centres of ofmusical musical power, power, the the earliest earliest minimalist minimalist works works got got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's quite) into a minor key. the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the (b. 1937) John Cage (1912-1992) (1912-1992) tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the theirtheir first first public public audience audience in in the the La La Monte Monte Young Young 1960-61 1960-61 Chamber Chamber PhilipPhilip Glass Glass (b. 1937) John Cage piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It • Four Movements (2008) • Experiences• Experiences No. No. 1 (1945)1 (1945) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The Howard Skempton (b. 1947) drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his Fransisco Tape Music Center in 1964 and added the all-important drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a StreetStreet Series Series that that took took place place in inYoko Yoko Ono's New Ono's New York York loft. loft. • Four Movements (2008) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which _ two pianos _ two_ two pianos pianos second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirement to sustain an eighth note pulse throughout. cacophony of electronic noise. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is (b. 1948) ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness.Brian EnoAll of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finestTerry is Avril Riley 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. ThroughThrough the the 1960s, 1960s, the the minimalists minimalists slowly slowly demystified, demystified, democratised democratised The great city of the title is New York. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's ThisThis slow, slow, careful, careful, unaccented unaccented work work for for two two pianos pianos is isas as light light and and holey holey The great city of the title is New York. _ solo piano unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It andand Americanised Americanised European European modernism. modernism. "I "Idon't don't know know any any secrets secrets of of Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie hammers). _ band The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely asas a aSwiss Swiss cheese. cheese. It Itwas was written written at at a atime time when when Cage Cage was was coming coming to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in (b. 1948) ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which structurestructure that that you you can't can't hear," hear," declared declared Steve Steve Reich Reich in inhis 1968 his 1968 minimal- minimal- more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece Brian Eno Terry"Music Riley Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to underunder the the influence influence of of the the Indian Indian composer composer Gita Gita Sarabhai. Sarabhai. She She had had Philip Glass(b. (b. 1937) 1937) (arr. (arr. Michael Michael Riesman) Riesman) Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not for a hidden world. • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence istist manifesto, manifesto, Music Music as as a a Gradual Gradual Process. Process. Minimalism Minimalism claimed claimed that that minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to Philip Glass cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- convincedconvinced Cage Cage that that "the "the purpose purpose of ofmusic music is isto tosober sober and and quiet quiet the the • The• The Poet Poet Acts Acts (2004) (2004) Michael Nyman (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. therethere was was enough enough interest interest in inthe the sounding sounding process process itself itself to tosustain sustain a a create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are mind,mind, thus thus making making it susceptibleit susceptible to todivine divine influences." influences." Cage's Cage's response response _solo_solo piano piano • Water Dances 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of work.work. If oneIf one removed removed the the complications complications that that were obscuring were obscuring the the natural natural ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- David Chalmin time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- waswas to toseek seek a kinda kind of ofmusical musical Tai Tai Chi: Chi: slow-moving slow-moving musical musical exercises exercises _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard beautiesbeauties of ofrhythm rhythm and and sound, sound, what what would would be be discovered discovered could could happily happily themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts thatthat would would incorporate incorporate silence. silence. The The work work was was written written for for a newa new dance dance NoNo survey survey of ofminimalism minimalism would would be be complete complete without without a looka look at atthe the wealth wealth ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. occupyoccupy composers composers for for the the next next fifty fifty years. years. They They were were right. right. Minimalism Minimalism tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts dancing bells in the right then fading away. The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- piecepiece by by his his boyfriend boyfriend Merce Merce Cunningham. Cunningham. of offilm film music music of ofthe the past past thirty thirty years, years, where where the the movement movement has has become become Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. waswas the the last last great great musical movement musical movement of ofthe the 20th 20th century. century. And And it became it became in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. somethingsomething of ofa ahouse house style. style. The The man man who who kicked kicked off off the the love love affair affair is is outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. thethe most most influential influential and and successful successful ism ism of ofthem them all. all. ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected most popular minimalist works ever written. There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) PhilipPhilip Glass. Glass. One One of ofGlass's Glass's most most successful successful recent recent scores scores was was for for the the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought ArvoArvo Pärt Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos StephenStephen Daldry Daldry biopic biopic The The Hours Hours (2002), (2002), which which was was arranged arranged for for the the movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close TheseThese two two CDs CDs offer offer highlights highlights from from the the 50 50 Years Years of ofMinimalism festival. Minimalism festival. and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a pianopiano by by his his long-time long-time collaborator collaborator Michael Michael Riesman Riesman and and Nico Nico Muhly Muhly in in combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the WeWe look look back back to tothose those classical classical composers composers who who influenced influenced the school. the school. between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004.2004. The The Poet Poet Acts Acts is isthe the brooding, brooding, barcarolle-like barcarolle-like first first movement movement of of and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for WeWe explore explore minimalism's minimalism's influence influence on on the the experimental rock scene experimental rock scene and and second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the fight each other for the pitches near B. lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for PAGE 14 PAGE 15 kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. writtenthe piano for suite. a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. withWilliam the director), Duckworth is heard here (1943-2012) in a new arrangement for two pianos. creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, The• Timehalf-hour Curve work Preludes is a wealth (1977-78) of carefully excerpts balanced - No. 1, 2,stylistic 7, 12 andcontradic 17 - Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of tions:_ solo Baroque piano figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears headyWilliam melody Duckworth's that wouldn't Time soundCurve Preludesout of place mark at the endtop ofof theminimalism's charts. mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. quite) into a minor key. for a hidden world. HowardDuckworth's Skempton ground-breaking (b. 1947) piano cycle was "the first major work that • Imagessounded (1989) minimalist excerpts but - Interlude refused 4, to Prelude satisfy 5, minimalist Interlude 5, expectations", Prelude 7, Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong (b. 1980) Postludewrote critic (1978) Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his relationshipDavid Chalmin to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) _ soloinfluences piano without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant _ band and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece hammers). Minimalistscycle for solo are piano. mostly There's maximilists a folk-like when freshness it comes to Prelude to duration.s I. The Not first Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and Howardis playful Skempton. and gambols He is one around the avery bright few E minimalist flat major miniaturists. and its maudlin He (b. 1944) Michaelguitars investigating Nyman the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts beganmajor his seventh. musical Prelude life in IIthe is structuredorbit of Cornelius around aCardew, dynamic with arc, whom the synco he - • Water Dances 2012 (first recording): excerpts – No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly foundedpated the Cs experimental of the left hand Scratch gradually Orchestra overwhelming in 1969, and the in this minor environ modal- _ two pianos overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening mentdancing he fashioned bells in the a distinctiveright then fadingmusical away. language through a series of theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the Satie-like piano pieces. Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from music of Bernard Herrmann. A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Skempton'saccording Images to a Fibonacci are a set number of solo sequencepiano works giving composed an asymmetry for a photo to the- Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new graphicallyleft-hand figuration.focused 1989 Prelude Channel X has Four a Latin TV Americanseries. The quality preludes in its evokespringy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music themajor play seventhsof the waves. and minor In the chromatic first, right run and arounds, left hand as ricochet left and rightoff each hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism otherfight gently. each otherIn Seven for thethe pitchesbobbing near is more B. lively. In Five a wind injects a and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally

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mostRaphaël popular minimalist Séguinier works ever written. • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) Minimalism:Minimalism: an an introduction introduction musicRadiohead of Bernard Herrmann.(England, 1985) ricochetsAphex and Twin atmospheric (b. 1971) guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) _ band showcaseshowcase minimalist minimalist works works from from each each of ofthe the past past five decades. five decades. clefclef ostinato. ostinato. The The third third is isthe the longest longest movement movement and and the the most most complicat complicat- - monastery.monastery. The The act act of ofstripping stripping sound sound down down to toits its bare bare essentials essentials was was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. Rileytwo andor three the Americanyears. But minimalists the transfer when of these it was ideas recorded to live inbystrumentation Columbia To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by eded rhythmically rhythmically and and harmonically. harmonically. There There is iseven even the the sense sense of ofa gooda good old old fromfrom the the beginning beginning of ofthe the movement movement associated associated with with spiritual spiritual ways ways of of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- (England, 1985) (b. 1971) in and 1968. the Rileypositive had reaction in fact to been the results looping was aleatorically, a momentous creating event for time the the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks Radiohead Aphex Twin RaphaëlFree to X starts Séguinier with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks In Inthe the spirit spirit of ofLa La Monte Monte Young's Young's 1960s 1960s loft loft experiments (which experiments (which became became RomanticRomantic struggle struggle between between keys keys (F (Fmajor major and and F minor).F minor). The The final final move move- - thinking.thinking. The The connection connection between between religion religion and and minimalism minimalism was was even even creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) laggednew movement. phases and The flavouring piece came them to with Riley Oriental one night melodic on the patterning bus. He heard for • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- William Duckworth (1943-2012) Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- knownknown as as the the Dream Dream House House concerts), concerts), we we also present new also present new post-mini post-mini- - mentment begins begins with with a alow, low, richly richly harmonised harmonised and and snaky snaky melody melody on on the the closercloser in in communist communist Eastern Eastern Europe. Europe. Here, Here, where where dissonance dissonance meant meant Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands two"the or wholethree years.first line But of the In C.transfer It just ofsort these of came ideas into to livemy inear".strumentation Steve Reich _ band ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, malistmalist works works by by musician-composers, musician-composers, David David Chalmin Chalmin and and Raphaël Raphaël secondsecond piano. piano. Syncopations Syncopations and and fast fast ostinati ostinati propel propel it itforward forward and and youyou were were a traitora traitor and and tonality tonality a lackeya lackey of ofthe the state, state, minimalism minimalism was was seen seen then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow and(a theneighbour positive of reaction Riley's into San the Fransisco)results was premiered a momentous the work event at for the the San Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be _ solo piano ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be Séguinier,Séguinier, members members of ofTriple Triple Sun.. Sun.. ultimatelyultimately shatter shatter it init inspectacular spectacular style. style. asas a happya happy third third way. way. The The Estonian Estonian Arvo Arvo Pärt Pärt developed developed one one of ofthe the most most melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point newFransisco movement. Tape The Music piece Centercame to inRiley 1964 one and night added on the thebus. all-important He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his cacophony of electronic noise. clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the sophisticatedsophisticated minimalist minimalist languages languages - one - one that that was was based based on on the the evoca evoca- - mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "therequirement whole first toline sustain of In C.an It eighth just sort note of pulsecame throughout.into my ear". Steve Reich combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build conventionalconventional centres centres of ofmusical musical power, power, the the earliest earliest minimalist minimalist works works got got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's quite) into a minor key. the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the (b. 1937) John Cage (1912-1992) (1912-1992) tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the theirtheir first first public public audience audience in in the the La La Monte Monte Young Young 1960-61 1960-61 Chamber Chamber PhilipPhilip Glass Glass (b. 1937) John Cage piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It • Four Movements (2008) • Experiences• Experiences No. No. 1 (1945)1 (1945) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The Howard Skempton (b. 1947) drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his Fransisco Tape Music Center in 1964 and added the all-important drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a StreetStreet Series Series that that took took place place in inYoko Yoko Ono's New Ono's New York York loft. loft. • Four Movements (2008) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which _ two pianos _ two_ two pianos pianos second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirement to sustain an eighth note pulse throughout. cacophony of electronic noise. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is (b. 1948) ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness.Brian EnoAll of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finestTerry is Avril Riley 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. ThroughThrough the the 1960s, 1960s, the the minimalists minimalists slowly slowly demystified, demystified, democratised democratised The great city of the title is New York. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's ThisThis slow, slow, careful, careful, unaccented unaccented work work for for two two pianos pianos is isas as light light and and holey holey The great city of the title is New York. _ solo piano unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It andand Americanised Americanised European European modernism. modernism. "I "Idon't don't know know any any secrets secrets of of Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie hammers). _ band The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely asas a aSwiss Swiss cheese. cheese. It Itwas was written written at at a atime time when when Cage Cage was was coming coming to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in (b. 1948) ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which structurestructure that that you you can't can't hear," hear," declared declared Steve Steve Reich Reich in inhis 1968 his 1968 minimal- minimal- more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece Brian Eno Terry"Music Riley Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to underunder the the influence influence of of the the Indian Indian composer composer Gita Gita Sarabhai. Sarabhai. She She had had Philip Glass(b. (b. 1937) 1937) (arr. (arr. Michael Michael Riesman) Riesman) Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not for a hidden world. • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence istist manifesto, manifesto, Music Music as as a a Gradual Gradual Process. Process. Minimalism Minimalism claimed claimed that that minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to Philip Glass cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- convincedconvinced Cage Cage that that "the "the purpose purpose of ofmusic music is isto tosober sober and and quiet quiet the the • The• The Poet Poet Acts Acts (2004) (2004) Michael Nyman (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. therethere was was enough enough interest interest in inthe the sounding sounding process process itself itself to tosustain sustain a a create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are mind,mind, thus thus making making it susceptibleit susceptible to todivine divine influences." influences." Cage's Cage's response response _solo_solo piano piano • Water Dances 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of work.work. If oneIf one removed removed the the complications complications that that were obscuring were obscuring the the natural natural ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- David Chalmin time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- waswas to toseek seek a kinda kind of ofmusical musical Tai Tai Chi: Chi: slow-moving slow-moving musical musical exercises exercises _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard beautiesbeauties of ofrhythm rhythm and and sound, sound, what what would would be be discovered discovered could could happily happily themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts thatthat would would incorporate incorporate silence. silence. The The work work was was written written for for a newa new dance dance NoNo survey survey of ofminimalism minimalism would would be be complete complete without without a looka look at atthe the wealth wealth ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. occupyoccupy composers composers for for the the next next fifty fifty years. years. They They were were right. right. Minimalism Minimalism tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts dancing bells in the right then fading away. The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- piecepiece by by his his boyfriend boyfriend Merce Merce Cunningham. Cunningham. of offilm film music music of ofthe the past past thirty thirty years, years, where where the the movement movement has has become become Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. waswas the the last last great great musical movement musical movement of ofthe the 20th 20th century. century. And And it became it became in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. somethingsomething of ofa ahouse house style. style. The The man man who who kicked kicked off off the the love love affair affair is is outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. thethe most most influential influential and and successful successful ism ism of ofthem them all. all. ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected most popular minimalist works ever written. There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) PhilipPhilip Glass. Glass. One One of ofGlass's Glass's most most successful successful recent recent scores scores was was for for the the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought ArvoArvo Pärt Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos StephenStephen Daldry Daldry biopic biopic The The Hours Hours (2002), (2002), which which was was arranged arranged for for the the movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close TheseThese two two CDs CDs offer offer highlights highlights from from the the 50 50 Years Years of ofMinimalism festival. Minimalism festival. and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a pianopiano by by his his long-time long-time collaborator collaborator Michael Michael Riesman Riesman and and Nico Nico Muhly Muhly in in combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the WeWe look look back back to tothose those classical classical composers composers who who influenced influenced the school. the school. between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004.2004. The The Poet Poet Acts Acts is isthe the brooding, brooding, barcarolle-like barcarolle-like first first movement movement of of and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for WeWe explore explore minimalism's minimalism's influence influence on on the the experimental rock scene experimental rock scene and and second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the fight each other for the pitches near B. lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. clefRadiohead ostinato. The third(England, is the 1985)longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was ed• rhythmicallyPyramid Song and (2001) harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old Aphexfrom the Twin beginning (b. 1971) of the movement associated with spiritual ways of Romantic_ voice and struggle piano between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- • Avrilthinking. 14th (2001) The connection between religion and minimalism was even ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the _ piano,closer four in communist hands Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant secondPyramid piano. Song, Syncopations which was released and fast on ostinati Radiohead's propel 2001 it forward album andAmne you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen ultimatelysiac, confirmed shatter itthe in spectacularband's role style.as Britain's leading rock experimental- Thereas a are happy few thirdminimalists way. The who Estonian can resist Arvo flirting Pärt developed with Satie atone some of the point most ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The in sophisticatedtheir lives. And minimalist Richard D.languages James (aka - one Aphex that was Twin) based is no on exception. the evoca - drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - (1912-1992) Jamestion of threw bells. minimalism This tintinnabular onto hot style coals can in be the heard 1980s, in thismelding short ambienttwo-piano Johnthe major Cage and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern • Experiences No. 1 (1945) soundspiece to in a the techno repeated pulse. G By sharps the time and of thethe suddenalbum Drukqs, high cartwheels. however, his The sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect _ two pianos music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the finestcadence is Avril in 14th every which bar. Thisloops refrain on a catchylends the little piece melody. an incantatory quality. ThisBrian slow, Enocareful, (b. unaccented 1948) work for two pianos is as light and holey The great city of the title is New York. as• aIn SwissDark Trees cheese. (1975) It was written at a time when Cage was coming Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) under_ band the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had _ bandPhilip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) mind,"I can thus remember making veryit susceptible clearly ... tothis divine image influences." of a dark, inkyCage's blue response forest with "Music_solo Like piano None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San wasmoss to seekhanging a kind off ofand musical you could Tai Chi:hear slow-moving horses off in musical the distance exercises all the Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry thattime, would these incorporate horses kind silence. of neighing, The work whinnying."was written Infor Dark a new Trees dance is a Riley'sNo survey In C. Experimentalof minimalism yetwould unthreatening, be complete aleatoric without ayet look clear, at the Riley's wealth piecetranscription by his boyfriend of Brian MerceEno's Cunningham.memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. workof film epitomised music of thethe quietlypast thirty audacious years, where nature the of movement minimalism. has "No become one The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked couldsomething remember of a thehouse last style.experimental The man composer who kicked who off had the usedlove affaira key is Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) signature,Philip Glass. much One less of Glass's written most anything successful in C major," recent explainedscores was fellow for the Arvomoves Pärt at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the _ two pianos composer William Duckworth. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the In 2004.C is the The first Poet minimalist Acts is classic.the brooding, The piece barcarolle-like became a firstcalling movement card for of Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia

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Minimalism:Minimalism: an an introduction introduction music of Bernard Herrmann. showcaseshowcase minimalist minimalist works works from from each each of ofthe the past past five decades. five decades. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was thethe piano piano suite. suite. TheThe Twelfth Twelfth is isboth both the the most most straightforward straightforward and and the the most most rhythmically rhythmically writtenwritten for for a a 1984 1984 documentary documentary film film by by Peter Peter Greenaway Greenaway about about kinkkink in inthe the surface surface patterning. patterning. The The interludes interludes are are more more contemplative. contemplative. Aphex Twin (b. 1971) in in 1968. 1968. Riley Riley had had in in fact fact been been looping looping aleatorically, aleatorically, creating creating time time RaphaëlRaphaël Séguinier Séguinier ToTo be be musically musically avant-garde avant-garde in inthe the 1950s 1950s meant meant to tobe be difficult. difficult. Not Not by by ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complexcomplex of of all all the the Duckworth Duckworth here. here. The The pulse pulse constantly constantly changes, changes, synchronisedsynchronised swimming, swimming, Making Making a Splash,a Splash, (Nyman's (Nyman's 13th 13th collaboration collaboration FourFour betrays betrays Skempton's Skempton's love love of ofThe The Beatles Beatles in inits its syncopative syncopative direct direct- - Radiohead (England, 1985) • Avril 14th (2001) laggedlagged phases phases and and flavouring flavouring them them with with Oriental Oriental melodic melodic patterning patterning for for • Free• Free to toX (2011)X (2011) (world (world premiere premiere recording) recording) thethe end end of ofthe the 1960s. 1960s. That That decade decade saw saw a groupa group of ofAmerican American beatniks beatniks In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. _ _ band In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even William Duckworth(1943-2012) (1943-2012) creatingcreating a aflickering flickering effect effect in inthe the octave octave ostinato, ostinato, out out of ofwhich, which, withwith the the director), director), is isheard heard here here in ina anew new arrangement arrangement for for two two pianos. pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) piano, four hands twotwo or orthree three years. years. But But the the transfer transfer of ofthese these ideas ideas to tolive live in strumentationinstrumentation _ band overthrowoverthrow the the musical musical givens givens of ofpostwar postwar Europe. Europe. In Ina series ofa series of disobedi- disobedi- known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the William Duckworth known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant • Time• Time Curve Curve Preludes Preludes (1977-78) (1977-78) excerpts excerpts - No. - No. 1, 1,2, 2,7, 7,10, 10, 12 12 and and 17 17 Riley-like,Riley-like, an an Indian Indian melody melody appears. appears. It Itstrives strives for for the the major major seventh seventh TheThe half-hour half-hour work work is isa wealtha wealth of ofcarefully carefully balanced balanced stylistic stylistic contradic contradic- - _ voice and piano andand the the positive positive reaction reaction to tothe the results results was was a momentousa momentous event event for for the the entlyently straightforward straightforward compositions, compositions, La La Monte Monte Young, Young, Terry Terry Jennings, Jennings, malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen _ solo_ solo piano piano thenthen suddenly suddenly climbs climbs an an octave octave and and retires retires in inthis this new new idyll. idyll. The The same same tions:tions: Baroque Baroque figures figures in in Minimalist Minimalist clothes, clothes, coloured coloured with with Romantic Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and TerryTerry Riley, Riley, Steve Steve Reich Reich and and Philip Philip Glass Glass declared declared that that music music could could be be Séguinier,Séguinier, members members of ofTriple Triple Sun.. Sun.. ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most melodicmelodic pattern pattern returns returns in inPrelude Prelude XVII XVII but but in ina morea more listless listless frame frame of of harmonies.harmonies. The The work work builds builds to to a a energetic energetic conclusion conclusion capped capped by by a a motionmotion waltz. waltz. The The second second peers peers ever ever so so briefly briefly into into the the pained pained harmonic harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "the"the whole whole first first line line of ofIn InC. C. It justIt just sort sort of ofcame came into into my my ear". ear". Steve Steve Reich Reich combinescombines it withit with the the drones drones of ofLa La Monte Monte Young. Young. Both Both grow grow and and build build clear,clear, honest, honest, pretty pretty and and experimental. experimental. Turning Turning their their backs backs on on the the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. worldworld of of a aShostakovich Shostakovich prelude. prelude. The The third third is is a atoy toy march: march: quiet quiet and and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a (aneighbour neighbour of ofRiley's Riley's in inSan San Fransisco) Fransisco) premiered premiered the the work work at atthe the San San untiluntil complication complication pushes pushes them them into into a lessa less controllable controllable realm. realm. Here Here the the WilliamWilliam Duckworth's Duckworth's Time Time Curve Curve Preludes Preludes mark mark the the end end of ofminimalism's minimalism's mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. conventionalconventional centres centres of ofmusical musical power, power, the the earliest earliest minimalist minimalist works works got got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano quite)quite) into into a minora minor key. key. fragile.fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his FransiscoFransisco Tape Tape Music Music Center Center in in 1964 1964 and and added added the the all-important all-important dronedrone ceases ceases to to be be so so friendly friendly and and swallows swallows the the rhythmic rhythmic pulse pulse in in a a (b. 1937) John Cage (1912-1992) austereaustere first first phase phase and and the the start start of ofsomething something much much looser looser and and freer. freer. theirtheir first first public public audience audience in in the the La La Monte Monte Young Young 1960-61 1960-61 Chamber Chamber PhilipPhilip Glass Glass (b. 1937) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirementrequirement to tosustain sustain an an eighth eighth note note pulse pulse throughout. throughout. cacophonycacophony of ofelectronic electronic noise. noise. • Four Movements (2008) • Experiences No. 1 (1945) Duckworth'sDuckworth's ground-breaking ground-breaking piano piano cycle cycle was was "the "the first first major major work work that that HowardHoward Skempton Skempton (b. (b. 1947) 1947) StreetStreet Series Series that that took took place place in inYoko Yoko Ono's New Ono's New York York loft. loft. • Four Movements (2008) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect DespiteDespite the the added added complications, complications, all all the the preludes preludes maintain maintain a astrong strong TheThe final final piece piece from from this this miniaturist miniaturist is ishis his stand-alone stand-alone Postlude, Postlude, one one of of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. _ two pianos _ two pianos soundedsounded minimalist minimalist but but refused refused to to satisfy satisfy minimalist minimalist expectations", expectations", • Images• Images (1989) (1989) excerpts excerpts - Prelude,- Prelude, Interlude Interlude 4, 4,Prelude Prelude 5, 5,Interlude Interlude 5, 5, _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. relationshiprelationship to tominimalism's minimalism's first first phase phase in inthe the drones drones that that the the piano piano is is thethe most most economical economical and and evocative evocative that that he he ever ever wrote. wrote. In In a aseries series of of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. TheThe work work is isof ofindeterminate indeterminate length length and and indeterminate indeterminate instrumentation. instrumentation. It It wrotewrote critic critic Kyle Kyle Gann. Gann. Unlike Unlike the the first first generation, generation, Duckworth Duckworth wears wears his his PreludePrelude 7, 7,Postlude Postlude (1978) (1978) ThroughThrough the the 1960s, 1960s, the the minimalists minimalists slowly slowly demystified, demystified, democratised democratised The great city of the title is New York. meantmeant to to sustain sustain (through (through pedalling pedalling or or weighing weighing down down the the relevant relevant unresolvedunresolved chord, chord, over over the the space space of ofjust just two two minutes, minutes, the the piece piece appears appears consistsconsists of of53 53 numbered numbered melodic melodic phrases, phrases, mostly mostly short, short, each each of ofwhich which Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey influencesinfluences without without shame. shame. Bluegrass, Bluegrass, plainchant, plainchant, the the music music of ofErik Erik Satie Satie _ solo_ solo piano piano Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) andand Americanised Americanised European European modernism. modernism. "I don't"I don't know know any any secrets secrets of of Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's hammers).hammers). to totravel travel far far and and wide, wide, each each vertical vertical an an atmospheric atmospheric tableau tableau standing standing in in areare repeated repeated at atliberty. liberty. Musicians Musicians must must play play the the phrases phrases in insequence sequence more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming andand Keith Keith Jarrett Jarrett all all rear rear their their head head at atvarious various points points in inthis this 24-piece 24-piece Brian Eno (b. 1948) _ band structurestructure that that you you can't can't hear," hear," declared declared Steve Steve Reich Reich in inhis 1968 his 1968 minimal- minimal- more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely forfor a hiddena hidden world. world. butbut may may drop drop out out and and rejoin rejoin at atany any time. time. Shapes Shapes appear appear and and disappear. disappear. minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had Philip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cyclecycle for for solo solo piano. piano. There's There's a folk-likea folk-like freshness freshness to toPrelude Preludes I.s TheI. The first first MinimalistsMinimalists are are mostly mostly maximilists maximilists when when it it comes comes to to duration. duration. Not Not • In Dark Trees (1975) istist manifesto, manifesto, Music Music as as a a Gradual Gradual Process. Process. Minimalism Minimalism claimed claimed that that minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to TheThe acoustic acoustic affect affect is is not not dissimilar dissimilar to to the the shape-shifting shape-shifting of of flocks flocks of of create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) is is playful playful and and gambols gambols around around a a bright bright E E flat flat major major and and its its maudlin maudlin Michael Nyman (b. (b. 1944) 1944) HowardHoward Skempton. Skempton. He He is is one one the the very very few few minimalist minimalist miniaturists. miniaturists. He He _ band "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San therethere was was enough enough interest interest in inthe the sounding sounding process process itself itself to tosustain sustain a a create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- Michael Nyman birds.birds. Some Some of ofthese these figures figures can can be be curiously curiously familiar. familiar. Some Some have have heard heard ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano majormajor seventh. seventh. Prelude Prelude II isII isstructured structured around around a dynamica dynamic arc, arc, the the synco synco- - • Water• Water Dances Dances 2012 2012 (first (first recording) recording) beganbegan his his musical musical life life in inthe the orbit orbit of ofCornelius Cornelius Cardew, Cardew, with with whom whom he he DavidDavid Chalmin Chalmin (b. (b. 1980) 1980) Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry work.work. If oneIf one removed removed the the complications complications that that were obscuring were obscuring the the natural natural ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are BrucknerBruckner materialise materialise in in the the triadic triadic repetitions repetitions of of the the 29th 29th phrase. phrase. themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises patedpated Cs Cs of of the the left left hand hand gradually gradually overwhelming overwhelming the the minor minor modal modal _ two_ two pianos pianos foundedfounded the the experimental experimental Scratch Scratch Orchestra Orchestra in in1969, 1969, and and in inthis this environ environ- - • Gameland• Gameland (2011) (world (2011) (world premiere premiere recording) recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's beautiesbeauties of ofrhythm rhythm and and sound, sound, what what would would be be discovered discovered could could happily happily themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- ElsewhereElsewhere Indonesian Indonesian and and Indian Indian musical musical phrases phrases waft waft into into earshot. earshot. that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth dancingdancing bells bells in inthe the right right then then fading fading away. away. mentment he he fashioned fashioned a adistinctive distinctive musical musical language language through through a aseries series of of _ band_ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one occupyoccupy composers composers for for the the next next fifty fifty years. years. They They were were right. right. Minimalism Minimalism turaltural dynamic dynamic of ofthis this work. work. But But it noit no longer longer dominates. dominates. The The piece piece starts starts Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become MichaelMichael Nyman Nyman is isone one of ofthe the most most important important minimalists minimalists to tocome come from from Satie-likeSatie-like piano piano pieces. pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. waswas the the last last great great musical movement musical movement of ofthe the 20th 20th century. century. And And it became it became in inmid-melodic mid-melodic flight. flight. A denseA dense web web of ofcross-rhythms cross-rhythms ensnares ensnares the the open open- - ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozyA woozy dissonance dissonance rears rears its its head head in inPrelude Prelude VII, VII, scattered scattered rhythmically rhythmically outsideoutside America. America. He He coined coined the the term term minimalism minimalism in inan an article article for for The The Chalmin'sChalmin's Gameland Gameland begins begins in inan an experimental experimental mood, mood, the the pianist pianist and and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow thethe most most influential influential and and successful successful ism ism of ofthem them all. all. ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. TheThe simplicity simplicity of ofthe the work, work, the the looseness looseness of ofthe the rules, rules, the the joys joys of ofthe the close close There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the accordingaccording to toa Fibonaccia Fibonacci number number sequence sequence giving giving an an asymmetry asymmetry to tothe the SpectatorSpectator magazine magazine in in 1968 1968 and and shaped shaped the the language language of of the the new new Skempton'sSkempton's Images Images are are a seta set of ofsolo solo piano piano works works composed composed for for a photoa photo- - guitarsguitars investigating investigating the the innards innards of oftheir their instrument. instrument. The The piece piece then then shifts shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked composer William Duckworth. There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought Arvo Pärt collaborativecollaborative listening listening that that the the work work demands demands have have made made it oneit one of ofthe the Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-handleft-hand figuration. figuration. Prelude Prelude X hasX has a Latina Latin American American quality quality in inits its springy springy movementmovement in ina highlya highly personal personal and and hugely hugely popular popular direction. direction. His His music music graphicallygraphically focused focused 1989 1989 Channel Channel Four Four TV TV series. series. The The preludes preludes evoke evoke intointo a a highly highly chromatic chromatic and and punchy punchy dance dance in in 12/8 12/8 that that is is slowly slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music TheseThese two two CDs CDs offer offer highlights highlights from from the the 50 50 Years Years of ofMinimalism festival. Minimalism festival. andand one one more more furtive furtive one. one. The The second second movement movement is isslow. slow. It alternatesIt alternates _ two pianos most popular minimalist works ever written. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combinescombines the the propulsion propulsion and and puzzles puzzles of ofthe the Baroque Baroque with with the the lyricism lyricism thethe play play of ofthe the waves. waves. In Inthe the first, first, right right and and left left hand hand ricochet ricochet off off each each overwhelmedoverwhelmed by by two two menacing menacing minor minor seconds. seconds. There There is isa threateninga threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for most popular minimalist works ever written. WeWe look look back back to tothose those classical classical composers composers who who influenced influenced the school. the school. betweenbetween two two moods: moods: one one downcast downcast and and harmonically harmonically uneasy uneasy and and a a major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricalitytheatricality to tothe the encounter encounter between between the the musical musical ideas ideas that that recalls recalls the the Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and secondsecond dominated dominated by by a tendera tender ballad ballad that that soars soars over over a glintinga glinting treble treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of fightfight each each other other for for the the pitches pitches near near B. B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and music of Bernard Herrmann. Minimalism: an introduction in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time showcase minimalist works from each of the past five decades. lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for Raphaël Séguinier To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) twothe orend three of theyears. 1960s. But theThat transfer decade of saw these a groupideas toof liveAmerican instrumentation beatniks In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became _ band andoverthrow the positive the musical reaction givens to the of resultspostwar was Europe. a momentous In a series of event disobedi- for the known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and "the whole first line of In C. It just sort of came into my ear". Steve Reich Séguinier, members of Triple Sun.. Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the Fransiscoconventional Tape centres Music of musical Center inpower, 1964 the and earliest added minimalist the all-important works got drone ceases to (b. be 1937) so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a requirementtheir first public to sustain audience an eighth in the note La pulse Monte throughout. Young 1960-61 Chamber Philip Glass •cacophony Four Movements of electronic (2008) noise. Street Series that took place in Yoko Ono's New York loft. The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It _ two pianos

consistsThrough of the 53 1960s,numbered the melodic minimalists phrases, slowly mostly demystified, short, each democratised of which Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's areand repeated Americanised at liberty. European Musicians modernism. must play "I don'tthe phrases know any in sequencesecrets of more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely butstructure may drop that out you and can't rejoin hear," at declaredany time. SteveShapes Reich appear in his 1968 and disappear. minimal- minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to Theist manifesto, acoustic affect Music is as not a dissimilar Gradual Process. to the shape-shifting Minimalism claimed of flocks that of create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- birds.there Somewas enough of these interest figures incan the be sounding curiously processfamiliar. Someitself tohave sustain heard a ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are Brucknerwork. If one materialise removed the in thecomplications triadic repetitions that were obscuring of the 29th the phrase. natural themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- Elsewherebeauties of Indonesian rhythm and andsound, Indian what musical would be phrases discovered waft could into earshot. happily tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts Everyoccupy musical composers idea, however, for the next is soon fifty years.dashed They against were the right. aleator Minimalism ic rocks. in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- was the last great musical movement of the 20th century. And it became ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. Thethe simplicitymost influential of the work,and successful the looseness ism of thethem rules, all. the joys of the close collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates mostThese popular two CDs minimalist offer highlights works ever from written. the 50 Years of Minimalism festival. between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a We look back to those classical composers who influenced the school. second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and

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Minimalism: an introduction music of Bernard Herrmann. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. music of Bernard Herrmann. ricochets and atmospheric guitar lines reminiscent of Baroque grounds. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. showcase minimalist works from each of the past five decades. clef ostinato. The third is the longest movement and the most complicat- monastery. The act of stripping sound down to its bare essentials was the piano suite. The Twelfth is both the most straightforward and the most rhythmically written for a 1984 documentary film by Peter Greenaway about kink in the surface patterning. The interludes are more contemplative. Raphaël Séguinier To be musically avant-garde in the 1950s meant to be difficult. Not by ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- (England, 1985) (b. 1971) Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia • Free to X (2011) (world premiere recording) ed rhythmically and harmonically. There is even the sense of a good old from the beginning of the movement associated with spiritual ways of complex of all the Duckworth here. The pulse constantly changes, synchronised swimming, Making a Splash, (Nyman's 13th collaboration Four betrays Skempton's love of The Beatles in its syncopative direct- Radiohead (England, 1985) Aphex Twin (b. 1971) the end of the 1960s. That decade saw a group of American beatniks Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. •Radiohead Pyramid Song (2001) •Aphex Avril 14th Twin (2001) in 1968. Riley had in fact been looping aleatorically, creating time _ band In the spirit of La Monte Young's 1960s loft experiments (which became Romantic struggle between keys (F major and F minor). The final move- thinking. The connection between religion and minimalism was even William Duckworth (1943-2012) creating a flickering effect in the octave ostinato, out of which, with the director), is heard here in a new arrangement for two pianos. ness. Five channels the harmonies of Debussy. • Pyramid Song (2001) • Avril 14th (2001) lagged phases and flavouring them with Oriental melodic patterning for overthrow the musical givens of postwar Europe. In a series of disobedi- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant William Duckworth (1943-2012) Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands known as the Dream House concerts), we also present new post-mini- ment begins with a low, richly harmonised and snaky melody on the closer in communist Eastern Europe. Here, where dissonance meant • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 Riley-like, an Indian melody appears. It strives for the major seventh The half-hour work is a wealth of carefully balanced stylistic contradic- _ voice and piano _ piano, four hands two or three years. But the transfer of these ideas to live instrumentation ently straightforward compositions, La Monte Young, Terry Jennings, second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen • Time Curve Preludes (1977-78) excerpts - No. 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 and 17 then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow Free to X starts with the additive rhythmic principle of Philip Glass and malist works by musician-composers, David Chalmin and Raphaël second piano. Syncopations and fast ostinati propel it forward and you were a traitor and tonality a lackey of the state, minimalism was seen _ solo piano then suddenly climbs an octave and retires in this new idyll. The same tions: Baroque figures in Minimalist clothes, coloured with Romantic His Three Nocturne are more nostalgic. The first is a dreamy, slow and the positive reaction to the results was a momentous event for the Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass declared that music could be ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most _ solo piano melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point combines it with the drones of La Monte Young. Both grow and build Séguinier, members of Triple Sun.. ultimately shatter it in spectacular style. as a happy third way. The Estonian Arvo Pärt developed one of the most melodic pattern returns in Prelude XVII but in a more listless frame of harmonies. The work builds to a energetic conclusion capped by a motion waltz. The second peers ever so briefly into the pained harmonic Pyramid Song, which was released on Radiohead's 2001 album Amne There are few minimalists who can resist flirting with Satie at some point new movement. The piece came to Riley one night on the bus. He heard clear, honest, pretty and experimental. Turning their backs on the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. until complication pushes them into a less controllable realm. Here the sophisticated minimalist languages - one that was based on the evoca- William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's mind. It lolls around dreamily, ornamenting its way (almost but not heady melody that wouldn't sound out of place at the top of the charts. world of a Shostakovich prelude. The third is a toy march: quiet and siac, confirmed the band's role as Britain's leading rock experimental- in their lives. And Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) is no exception. "the whole first line of In C. It just sort of came into my ear". Steve Reich conventional centres of musical power, the earliest minimalist works got tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano William Duckworth's Time Curve Preludes mark the end of minimalism's quite) into a minor key. fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient drone ceases to be so friendly and swallows the rhythmic pulse in a John Cage (1912-1992) tion of bells. This tintinnabular style can be heard in this short two-piano austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. fragile. ists. Rhythmically and harmonically we are in unsettling realms. The James threw minimalism onto hot coals in the 1980s, melding ambient (a neighbour of Riley's in San Fransisco) premiered the work at the San their first public audience in the La Monte Young 1960-61 Chamber John Cage (1912-1992) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The austere first phase and the start of something much looser and freer. quite) into a minor key. drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his cacophony of electronic noise. Philip Glass (b. 1937) • Experiences No. 1 (1945) piece in the repeated G sharps and the sudden high cartwheels. The Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Howard Skempton (b. 1947) drum beat is syncopated into virtual barlessness. Harmonic choices - sounds to a techno pulse. By the time of the album Drukqs, however, his Fransisco Tape Music Center in 1964 and added the all-important Street Series that took place in Yoko Ono's New York loft. • Experiences No. 1 (1945) second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect Duckworth's ground-breaking piano cycle was "the first major work that Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong Howard Skempton (b. 1947) The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the • Four Movements (2008) _ two pianos second pianist is unfailing loyal to the home key, returning to a perfect sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", Despite the added complications, all the preludes maintain a strong • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, The final piece from this miniaturist is his stand-alone Postlude, one of the major and minor 9ths and dissonances - add a Middle Eastern music had calmed itself down. Drukqs has 13 tracks for piano, one of the requirement to sustain an eighth note pulse throughout. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. sounded minimalist but refused to satisfy minimalist expectations", relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is • Images (1989) excerpts - Prelude, Interlude 4, Prelude 5, Interlude 5, the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. _ two pianos cadence in every bar. This refrain lends the piece an incantatory quality. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his relationship to minimalism's first phase in the drones that the piano is Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) the most economical and evocative that he ever wrote. In a series of sultriness. All of it conspires to create a Satie-like feeling of lostness. finest is Avril 14th which loops on a catchy little melody. Through the 1960s, the minimalists slowly demystified, democratised The great city of the title is New York. wrote critic Kyle Gann. Unlike the first generation, Duckworth wears his meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant Prelude 7, Postlude (1978) unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey The great city of the title is New York. influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie meant to sustain (through pedalling or weighing down the relevant _ solo piano unresolved chord, over the space of just two minutes, the piece appears The work is of indeterminate length and indeterminate instrumentation. It and Americanised European modernism. "I don't know any secrets of This slow, careful, unaccented work for two pianos is as light and holey influences without shame. Bluegrass, plainchant, the music of Erik Satie hammers). _ solo piano to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in Like so much of the later output of the minimalist pioneers, Philip Glass's as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece to travel far and wide, each vertical an atmospheric tableau standing in Brian Eno (b. 1948) Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) consists of 53 numbered melodic phrases, mostly short, each of which structure that you can't hear," declared Steve Reich in his 1968 minimal- as a Swiss cheese. It was written at a time when Cage was coming and Keith Jarrett all rear their head at various points in this 24-piece hammers). for a hidden world. Brian Eno (b. 1948) Terry Riley ( (b. 1935) In C (1964) more recent music is best described as post-minimal rather than purely under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had Philip Glass (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not for a hidden world. • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band are repeated at liberty. Musicians must play the phrases in sequence ist manifesto, Music as a Gradual Process. Minimalism claimed that under the influence of the Indian composer Gita Sarabhai. She had (b. 1937) (arr. Michael Riesman) cycle for solo piano. There's a folk-like freshness to Preludes I. The first Minimalists are mostly maximilists when it comes to duration. Not • In Dark Trees (1975) _ band minimal. Four Movements uses the grammar of 1960s and 1970s to convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the •Philip The Poet Glass Acts (2004) is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band but may drop out and rejoin at any time. Shapes appear and disappear. there was enough interest in the sounding process itself to sustain a convinced Cage that "the purpose of music is to sober and quiet the • The Poet Acts (2004) is playful and gambols around a bright E flat major and its maudlin Michael Nyman (b. 1944) Howard Skempton. He is one the very few minimalist miniaturists. He _ band create a musical landscape that is much more vertically dense, structur- mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- •Michael Water Dances Nyman 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he David Chalmin (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San The acoustic affect is not dissimilar to the shape-shifting of flocks of work. If one removed the complications that were obscuring the natural mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences." Cage's response _solo piano major seventh. Prelude II is structured around a dynamic arc, the synco- • Water Dances 2012 (first recording) began his musical life in the orbit of Cornelius Cardew, with whom he David Chalmin (b. 1980) "Music Like None Other On Earth" proclaimed the music critic of the San ally zigzaggy and atmospherically romantic. Narrative is back, as are was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry birds. Some of these figures can be curiously familiar. Some have heard beauties of rhythm and sound, what would be discovered could happily was to seek a kind of musical Tai Chi: slow-moving musical exercises pated Cs of the left hand gradually overwhelming the minor modal _ two pianos founded the experimental Scratch Orchestra in 1969, and in this environ- • Gameland (2011) (world premiere recording) "I can remember very clearly ... this image of a dark, inky blue forest with Fransisco Chronicle, Alfred Frankenstein, on the premiere of Terry themes. Repetition and rhythm still form a substantial part of the struc- that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth dancing bells in the right then fading away. ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's occupy composers for the next fifty years. They were right. Minimalism that would incorporate silence. The work was written for a new dance No survey of minimalism would be complete without a look at the wealth ment he fashioned a distinctive musical language through a series of _ band moss hanging off and you could hear horses off in the distance all the Riley's In C. Experimental yet unthreatening, aleatoric yet clear, Riley's Bruckner materialise in the triadic repetitions of the 29th phrase. tural dynamic of this work. But it no longer dominates. The piece starts piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become dancing bells in the right then fading away. Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one was the last great musical movement of the 20th century. And it became piece by his boyfriend Merce Cunningham. of film music of the past thirty years, where the movement has become Michael Nyman is one of the most important minimalists to come from Satie-like piano pieces. time, these horses kind of neighing, whinnying." In Dark Trees is a work epitomised the quietly audacious nature of minimalism. "No one Elsewhere Indonesian and Indian musical phrases waft into earshot. in mid-melodic flight. A dense web of cross-rhythms ensnares the open- something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key Every musical idea, however, is soon dashed against the aleatoric rocks. the most influential and successful ism of them all. something of a house style. The man who kicked off the love affair is A woozy dissonance rears its head in Prelude VII, scattered rhythmically outside America. He coined the term minimalism in an article for The Chalmin's Gameland begins in an experimental mood, the pianist and transcription of Brian Eno's memories of Suffolk's Rendlesham Woods. could remember the last experimental composer who had used a key ing phrase. Beefy octaves stride around cutting through the textures. Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Philip Glass. One of Glass's most successful recent scores was for the according to a Fibonacci number sequence giving an asymmetry to the Spectator magazine in 1968 and shaped the language of the new Skempton's Images are a set of solo piano works composed for a photo- guitars investigating the innards of their instrument. The piece then shifts The piece was part of the album, Another Green World, which marked signature, much less written anything in C major," explained fellow There are two clearings, in which Glass sets out one maudlin thought Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Hymn to a Great City (1984/2004) Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. The simplicity of the work, the looseness of the rules, the joys of the close These two CDs offer highlights from the 50 Years of Minimalism festival. _ two pianos Stephen Daldry biopic The Hours (2002), which was arranged for the left-hand figuration. Prelude X has a Latin American quality in its springy movement in a highly personal and hugely popular direction. His music graphically focused 1989 Channel Four TV series. The preludes evoke into a highly chromatic and punchy dance in 12/8 that is slowly Brian Eno's break with the glam rock world of Roxy Music. The music composer William Duckworth. and one more furtive one. The second movement is slow. It alternates _ two pianos piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected collaborative listening that the work demands have made it one of the We look back to those classical composers who influenced the school. piano by his long-time collaborator Michael Riesman and Nico Muhly in major sevenths and minor chromatic run arounds, as left and right hand combines the propulsion and puzzles of the Baroque with the lyricism the play of the waves. In the first, right and left hand ricochet off each overwhelmed by two menacing minor seconds. There is a threatening moves at pace through several percussive pulses, taking in unexpected between two moods: one downcast and harmonically uneasy and a 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of fight each other for the pitches near B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for We explore minimalism's influence on the experimental rock scene and Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the 2004. The Poet Acts is the brooding, barcarolle-like first movement of theatricality to the encounter between the musical ideas that recalls the In C is the first minimalist classic. The piece became a calling card for most popular minimalist works ever written. second dominated by a tender ballad that soars over a glinting treble Minimalism could be seen as the moment music decided to re-enter the fight each other for the pitches near B. and amplified brashness of modern rock. Water Dances, originally other gently. In Seven the bobbing is more lively. In Five a wind injects a Riley and the American minimalists when it was recorded by Columbia Terry Riley two pianos+band / 1964 9_ _ In C 28:58 Katia & Marielle Labèque David Chalmin, Raphaël Séguinier Nicola Tescari Raphaël Séguinier 2011 10_ _ Free to X 05:03 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin Raphaël Séguinier, Nicola Tescari

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1_ Katia & Marielle Labèque 2_ David Chalmin 3_ Raphaël Séguinier

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PAGE 6 PAGE 23 PAGE 22 PAGE 7 Long. Short. Big. Small. Soft. Spirited. Electronic. Acoustic. There are - CD_2 Michael Nyman KATIA & MARIELLE LABÈQUE ______pianos contrary two to pianos popular / 1985-2011 belief - many ways of being minimal. Travelling the David Chalmin entire_ minimalist Water Dances archipelago from the holy innocence of Arvo Pärt to the 2011 featuring: 11_mosh-pitI.Dipping boldness of Glenn Branca, this 04:48 recorded Katia celebration & Marielle of Labèque musical 1_ DAVID_Gameland CHALMIN ______vocals, guitars, 06:06bass & electronics (on Katia & Marielle CD2 tracksLabèque #1, 4, 5, 9, 10) David Chalmin, Raphaël Séguinier 12_minimalismII.Stroking from the Labèque sisters 06:35and their Katia band & Marielleis a tribute Labèque to the RAPHAËL SÉGUINIER ______drums, percussion & electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9, 10) NICOLA TESCARI ______keyboards, electronicsNicola (on Tescari CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 & 10) movement and its many tributaries. William Duckworth Howard Skempton piano soloRecorded, / 1977-1978 mixed and mastered by David Chalmin in Studio KML piano solo / 1989 No one did more to develop the language of the first generation of _The Time Curve PreludesProduced by Katia Labèque & David Chalmin

minimalists_ Images than composer, chronicler and teacher, William Duckworth. 2_ VII Recorded in Rome between03:18 July Katia and December Labèque 2012 13_ Interlude 4 01:21 Marielle Labèque He took the lead in opening up the principles established by the likes of 3_ XII 02:56 Katia Labèque 14_ Prelude 5 03:03 Marielle Labèque Pianos ______Steinway Model D Steve Reich and Philip Glass and exposing them to non-classical 15_ Interlude 5 00:52 Marielle Labèque Radiohead ANTONINO RAPOCCIO ______Piano technician 16_musicalPrelude idioms, 7 ushering in post-minimalism. 02:32 Post-minimalism's Marielle Labèque starting piano and vocals ROBERTO CALBUCCI ______Artwork / Design and Photo of Katia & Marielle Labèque pistol was sounded in 1978 by Duckworth's inspired piano cycle Time 4_ _ Pyramid Song 05:10 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin Curve Preludes, a selection of which the Labèques have recorded here. Cover image______Painting by Roberto Calbucci "On the Perspective_ n°43" Howard Skempton ILARIA MAGLIOCCHETTI LOMBI ______Photos of David Chalmin and Raphaël Séguinier piano solo / 1978 Brian Eno 17_Duckworth_ Postlude was a fantastic guide in putting01:48 togetherMarielle the Labèque programme for 1975 IGOR TORONYI-LALIC ______Texts the 50 Years of Minimalism festival that premiered at Kings Place in 5_ _ In Dark Trees 03:49 Katia Labèque, David Chalmin Raphaël Séguinier, Nicola Tescari November 2011, London, from which these recordings sprang. He was Thanks to : Aphex Alex,Twin Loub, Reeks, Massimo, Silvia & Luigi, Stefania & Paolo, Yves. prevented from attending the London concerts and those at the Angelica piano 4 hands / 2001 Festival,•Total Italy, CD_1 where the festival transferred 01:01:06 to in May 2012, because of 6_ _ Avril 14th Fondazione 02:11 KML Katia & Marielle Labèque the onset of pancreatic cancer, but he continued to champion the concerts online and hoped he'd be well again for when the festival Michael Nyman For more information please visit : moved on to Paris in 2013. This was never to be. In September 2012 two pianos / 1985-2011 William Duckworth died at home in West New York, New Jersey. _ Water Dances www.labeque.com 7_ IV.Gliding www.deutschegrammophon.com 04:43 Katia & Marielle Labèque 8_ V.Synchronising www.clubdeutschegrammophon.com 05:55 Katia & Marielle Labèque These recordings are dedicated to his music and memory.

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VOL_1 VOL_2 1-4 Philip Glass 1 David Chalmin _ Four Movements for Two Pianos _ Gameland 5 Cage 2-3 William Duckworth _ Experiences, I. _The Time Curve Preludes _ VII _ XII 6 Arvo Part 4 Radiohead _ Hymn to a Great City _ Pyramid _Song 7 Philip Glass 5 Brian Eno _ The Poet Acts _ In Dark Trees VOL_1 VOL_2 8-10 William Duckworth 6 Aphex Twin 1-4 Philip Glass 1 David Chalmin _The Time Curve Preludes _ I _ II _ XVII _ Avril 14th _ Four Movements for Two Pianos _ Gameland 11-12 Michael Nyman 7-8 Michael Nyman 5 Cage 2-3 William Duckworth _ Water Dances _ I.Dipping _ II.Stroking _ Water Dances _ IV.Gliding _ V.Synchronising _ Experiences, I. _The Time Curve Preludes _ VII _ XII 13-17 Howard Skempton 9 Terry Riley 6 Arvo Part 4 Radiohead _ Images _ Interlude 4 _ Prelude 5 _ In C _ Hymn to a Great City _ Pyramid Song _ Interlude 5 _ Prelude 7 _ Postlude 10 Raphaël Séguinier 7 Philip Glass 5 Brian Eno _ Free to X Featuring: _ The Poet Acts _ In Dark Trees DAVID CHALMIN8-10 ______vocals, William Duckworth guitars, bass & electronics (on CD2 tracks6 Aphex #1, 4, 5, Tw9 &in 10) RAPHAËL SÉGUINIER _The Ti ______drums,me Curve Preludes percussion _ I& _ electronics II _ XVII (on CD2 tracks_ Avril #1, 14th 5, 9 & 10) NICOLA TESCARI11-12 ______keyboards, Michael Nyma nelectronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 7-8& 10) Michael Nyman _ Water Dances _ I.Dipping _ II.Stroking _ Water Dances _ IV.Gliding _ V.Synchronising Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Chalmin in Studio KML 13-17 Howard SkemptonProduced by Katia Labèque & David Chalmin9 Terry Riley _ Images _ Interlude 4 _ Prelude 5 _ In C _ Interlude 5 _ Prelude 7 _ Postlude 10 Raphaël Séguinier _ Free to X Featuring: DAVID CHALMIN ______vocals, guitars, bass & electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 4, 5, 9 & 10) RAPHAËL SÉGUINIER ______drums, percussion & electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 & 10) NICOLA TESCARI ______keyboards, electronics (on CD2 tracks #1, 5, 9 & 10)

Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Chalmin in Studio KML Produced by Katia Labèque & David Chalmin