On Minimalism: Documenting a Musical Movement

A revisionist history of minimalism's transformative rise, through the voices of the musicians who created it. It explores how the style's static harmonies and groovy pulses swept through the broader avant-garde landscape, informing the work of Yoko Ono, Brian Eno, John and Alice Coltrane, Pauline Oliveros, and Julius Eastman.

Format: Hardback
Length: 470 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

When composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich began creating hypnotically repetitive music in the 1960s, it upended the world of American composition. But minimalism was more than a classical phenomenon; minimalism changed everything. Its static harmonies and groovy pulses swept through the broader avant-garde landscape, informing the work of Yoko Ono and Brian Eno, John and Alice Coltrane, Pauline Oliveros, and Julius Eastman, and many others.

On Minimalism: A Revisionist History of Minimalism's Transformative Rise, Through the Voices of the Musicians Who Created It.

On Minimalism moves from the style's beginnings in psychedelic counterculture through its present-day influences on ambient jazz, doom metal, and electronic music. The editors look beyond the major figures to highlight crucial and diverse voices—especially women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ musicians—that have shaped the genre. Featuring more than a hundred rare historical sources, On Minimalism curates this history anew, documenting one of the most important musical movements of our time.

The roots of minimalism can be traced back to the psychedelic counterculture of the 1960s, where composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich began experimenting with repetitive and hypnotic musical patterns. These pioneers of minimalism sought to strip away the excess and complexity of traditional music, focusing on the essential elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Their work had a profound impact on the broader avant-garde landscape, influencing artists and musicians across a wide range of genres. Yoko Ono, for example, incorporated elements of minimalism into her experimental pop music, creating a unique and influential sound that would go on to influence generations of musicians. Brian Eno, meanwhile, used minimalism as a foundation for his groundbreaking ambient music, creating a sense of calm and serenity that has become synonymous with the genre.

John and Alice Coltrane, Pauline Oliveros, and Julius Eastman were among the other musicians who were influenced by minimalism. They incorporated the static harmonies and groovy pulses of minimalism into their own compositions, creating a sense of cohesion and continuity that was lacking in much of the music of the time.

Minimalism also had a significant impact on electronic music, particularly in the work of pioneers like Kraftwerk and Brian Eno. These artists used electronic instruments and technology to create a new kind of music that was both futuristic and minimalist, with a focus on repetitive patterns and electronic textures.

Today, minimalism continues to evolve and adapt to new musical contexts. It has been incorporated into a wide range of genres, from ambient and experimental music to pop and rock. Artists like Max Richter, Arvo Pärt, and J Dilla have all incorporated elements of minimalism into their own work, creating a sense of calm and introspection that has become synonymous

In conclusion, minimalism is a musical movement that has had a profound impact on the world of music. Its roots can be traced back to the psychedelic counterculture of the 1960s, where composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich began experimenting with repetitive and hypnotic musical patterns. Today, minimalism continues to evolve and adapt to new musical contexts, creating a sense of calm and introspection that has become synonymous. Its static harmonies and groovy pulses have swept through the broader avant-garde landscape, informing the work of Yoko Ono and Brian Eno, John and Alice Coltrane, Pauline Oliveros, and Julius Eastman, and many others. On Minimalism: A Revisionist History of Minimalism's Transformative Rise, Through the Voices of the Musicians Who Created It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this important musical movement.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520382077