Holy (spiritual) minimalism or contemplative music more generally

[Daimonion]

While exploring the music of Arvo Pärt I came across the reference to so called holy (spiritual) minimalism. I do like the very "theory" behind it, i.e. the idea of music as a vehicle for contemplation. It also fits with my earlier sympathy for medieval and renaissance religious music. I have already tried some music by Pärt, Górecki (I found him on the list of the worst composers in one of this forum's thread as well;)) or Tavener and I will surely investigate it in a bit more depth.

What do you think about "holy minimalism" or the idea of music as a vehicle for contemplation (I don't want to use the term "spiritual development" because I suspect that most of you would understand it more narrowly than I do)? Do you have any music or composers to recommend?

Btw, I do like the function assigned to music in "The Glass Bead Game" by Hermann Hesse.

[Cato]

What do you think about "holy minimalism" or the idea of music as a vehicle for contemplation (I don't want to use the term "spiritual development" because I suspect that most of you would understand it more narrowly than I do)? Do you have any music or composers to recommend?

Btw, I do like the function assigned to music in "The Glass Bead Game" by Hermann Hesse.

Das Glasperlenspiel is one of my favorite books, despite some misgivings.

Anyway, Minimalism, whether holy or not, appeals to me only in small doses.  A mystical composer - whose oeuvre is uneven - is Alan Hohvaness.

You might try this:

[asin]B005KMX8DE[/asin]

[Daverz]

I think Feldman's Rothko Chapel may have already been mentioned in the "Calming" thread.  I lent the New Albion CD to a friend, and he was so moved by it that he actually drove down to visit Rothko Chapel.

[xochitl]

imo one of the greatest works of this genre [if you can include post-rock] is lift yr skinny fists like antennas to heaven by godspeed you! black emperor

just astounding