THYG 586 Musical Minimalism
The course traces beginnings of minimalism, rooted in reduction, constant pulse, insistent repetition, extended time and form as process. Students follow the transformation through which minimalism gradually turns to new tonality, more elaborate forms and cross pollination of classical, electronic, rock, pop and film music. Special attention is dedicated to perception of musical time, including rhythmic domain, phase shifting, additive and subtractive processes. The class is not approaching minimalism as a compositional technique, but as an aesthetic orientation that will be examined through scholarly writing and analysis of musical works. Material for the class includes an abundance of internet links, live recordings, videos, interviews with composers and art films. Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, La Monte Young, Terry Riley, James Tenney, Alvin Lucier, Michael Gordon, Julia Wolf and David Lang are among other composers, presented and discussed in class.