Quote:
Originally Posted by QcCowboy
There are so many approaches to minimalism that you are basically given carte blanche... explore what you WANT to explore.
My understanding of the origins of minimalism were that it was a reaction to the extremes of complexity that contemporary music was taking, and as an exploration of primitivism in music as a "new" source of inspiration.
Some of the concepts that became material for minimalist expression were: - actual repetition
- repetition with gradual modification
- minimal harmonic material (holding the same harmony for as long as possible before changing)
- harmonic pattern repetition
- rhythmic modification
There are so many approaches to take when starting to explore minimalism. I have always been fascinated by it as well. There is a tinge of it evident in most of my music.
I happen to believe that minimalism was as natural a reaction to the avant-garde of the 1950's as serialism was to the extreme chromaticism of the Wagnerians.
Excesses in any single direction often tend to give birth to reactionary movements. |
agreed, it's a reactionary movement but very intact and in its right place. also, minimalism, as a way of art thought, came not only in music, but in arts (painting) and literature. so it's kind of general, in a response to our uncertain, chaotic and very unstable political/technological age. while it will tend to be more complex (historical and social conditions) i think minimalist thought in arts will prevail in so many different ways.