Minimalist Mash-Up!

[kyjo]

I'm not a big fan of minimalism, but I thought it would be interesting to see the results of this poll. For me, the choice was quite easy: Adams. He would still be my favorite if he had only composed Harmonielehre, which proves that music of great power can be composed in this generally rather limiting style. To me, this work seems to be in thrall to the great symphonic tradition of Mahler etc. His Century Rolls, Doctor Atomic Symphony, Chairman Dances, and Short Ride in a Fast Machine are all great fun, if not plumbing the depths of Harmonielehre.

Glass I can take in small doses, and I do enjoy a lot of his music (especially the Concerto-Fantasy for two timpanists and orchestra), but he's not a composer I listen to often.

I've never been able to get onboard with the other three in this poll, though Reich's Music for 18 Musicians is pretty cool, if rather wearisome.

I debated whether to include composers like Vasks and Sumera who have incorporated minimalist elements into their music, but overall, their music is more "neo-romantic" (although I hate using this unfortunately derogatory term) than truly minimalistic.

I truly hope no one wants to vote for Tavener but I shall add him to the poll if necessary! 0:)

[DavidW]

I vote for Gorecki.

[kyjo]

I vote for Gorecki.

Added.

[Mirror Image]

Adams only needed to compose Harmonium and Harmonielehre to get my vote, but, thankfully, he has written so much other great music, but these two works easily stand as 20th Century masterpieces IMHO. As for the other composers, I do like Part, Gorecki, and Reich. I loathe Glass. I seriously can't think of a more overhyped composer than him.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I voted for Adams, but I don't really think of him as a minimalist in the sense of Reich or Glass. It's more like minimalism is just one element in his bag of tricks.

[DavidW]

Added.

Thanks!

[Mirror Image]

I voted for Adams, but I don't really think of him as a minimalist in the sense of Reich or Glass. It's more like minimalism is just one element in his bag of tricks.

My thoughts exactly. I think the term 'Postmodernist' applies more aptly to Adams' music.

[DavidW]

My thoughts exactly. I think the term 'Postmodernist' applies more aptly to Adams' music.

The works I've heard by Adams weren't minimalist at all.  I guess he had different phases, and I haven't heard anything in his minimalist phase.

[kyjo]

I voted for Adams, but I don't really think of him as a minimalist in the sense of Reich or Glass. It's more like minimalism is just one element in his bag of tricks.

You've got a point! Yes, his music is more eclectic than Reich or Glass and draws on elements other than minimalism. He's always grouped with Reich and Glass, so I included him by default.

[Mirror Image]

The works I've heard by Adams weren't minimalist at all.  I guess he had different phases, and I haven't heard anything in his minimalist phase.

What works have you heard so far by Adams, Dave?

[Rinaldo]

I loathe Glass. I seriously can't think of a more overhyped composer than him.

He's rated highly by the mainstream audience (including the media) which, most of the time, doesn't register modern classical music at all. So I wouldn't consider Glass truly overhyped as classical fans know better. I'd even dare to say that in the classical circles, Glass is actually underrated because of all the commercial stuff he churns out and the perceived simplicity / sameness of his method. The fact that he found a way to cash on it (while other, much more challenging composers struggle to make a living) makes him an easy target.

I actually voted for Glass. There's so much padding in his output that it tends to overshadow a lot of the truly great stuff he's done.

[Lisztianwagner]

I vote for Adams.

[vandermolen]

He's rated highly by the mainstream audience (including the media) which, most of the time, doesn't register modern classical music at all. So I wouldn't consider Glass truly overhyped as classical fans know better. I'd even dare to say that in the classical circles, Glass is actually underrated because of all the commercial stuff he churns out and the perceived simplicity / sameness of his method. The fact that he found a way to cash on it (while other, much more challenging composers struggle to make a living) makes him an easy target.

I actually voted for Glass. There's so much padding in his output that it tends to overshadow a lot of the truly great stuff he's done.

I'd be inclined to go along with this. I especially like his 'Kundun' film score and prefer his music to that of Adams. I like the Gorecki Symphony No 3, which I discovered in its old Olympia CD manifestation.

[Sergeant Rock]

Glass

[ibanezmonster]

Gorecki


Adams would be second place for me.

[petrarch]

Reich and Glass of the late 60s through the 70s. I can't stand Adams.

[Keep Going]

I actually voted for Glass. There's so much padding in his output that it tends to overshadow a lot of the truly great stuff he's done.

This.

I like a great deal by Glass and Adams. I'm fond of some Reich, but not a huge amount. Riley is a composer I need to investigate far more - that said, In C is a seminal and intriguing work.

btw, the music of Gorecki and Part have nothing to do with the American 'minimalists', so not sure why they're included here.

[NJ Joe]

It's pretty much a tie between Reich and Adams for me.  I like them both A LOT.

[Ken B]

Banana. NYMAN.

[Contemporaryclassical]

I'd rather vote for Morton Feldman, who is directly one of my aesthetic tastes.
Is he generally considered a minimalist?