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The Minimalists

First broadcast from 20050131 to 20050204.

Forty years ago a musical revolution took place, which was to have huge repercussions for contemporary serious music, and which has remained controversial right up to the present day. Minimalism was born in NEW YORK, and its protagonists were initially abused as charlatans. Yet their work was to attract widespread popular interest, develop a unique aesthetic, and permeate the mainstream of commercial music.

Composer Of The Week

5 episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Description
01	Beginnings	20050131	In the first programme Donald Macleod looks at key works by those protagonists - La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass, against the backdrop of 1960s America. Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine San Francisco Symphony Orchestra Edo de Waart (conductor) La Monte Young: The Second Dream of the High-Tension Stepdown Transformer Theatre of Eternal Music Terry Riley: In C Centre of the Creative and Performing Arts in the State of NEW YORK at Buffalo Steve Reich: Come Out Terry Riley: A Rainbow in Curved Air Terry Riley (electric organ, electric harpsichord, rocksichord, dumbak and tambourine) Glass: Music in Contrary Motion Steffen Schleiermacher (electric organ).
02	Steve Reich	20050201	Steve Reich's exposure to Terry Riley's revolutionary work In C inspired him to follow in Riley's footsteps and he was soon to become one of Minimalism's key exponents. Donald Macleod explores the development of Reich's music from the austerity of Piano Phase to the action-packed portrait of New York in City Life. Piano Phase Nurit Tilles, Edmund Niemann (pianos) Drumming Steve Reich and Musicians New York Counterpoint Roland Diry (clarinet) City Life Ensemble Modern Peter Munder (conductor).
03	Philip Glass	20050202	In spite of his conventional music education, Philip Glass was destined to become the most popular of all the Minimalist composers. Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the man who not only became the darling of the mainstream musical establishment early in his career but has profoundly influenced the course of pop music since. Music in the Form of a Square Manuel Zurria (flute) Music in Twelve Parts Philip Glass Ensemble Einstein on the Beach: Knee Play 3 Philip Glass Chorus Michael Riesman, conductor Mad Rush Bruce Brubaker (piano) Koyaanisqatsi: Pruit Igoe Philip Glass Ensemble.
04	The Diaspora	20050203	Donald Macleod explores how Minimalist ideas have spread throughout the world and influenced composers as diverse as Arvo Part, Michael Nyman and Brian Eno. Nyman: Chasing Sheep is Best Left to Shepherds, (from The Draughtsman's Contract), The Michael Nyman Band Andriessen: De Snelheid, Icebreaker Eno: Music for Airports 1/2, Bang on a Can All-Stars Laurie Anderson: O Superman: Laurie Anderson (vocals/vocoder/electronics), Roma Baran (Farfisa/Casio), Perry Hoberman (Flute/Sax) Part: Summa; Hilliard Ensemble, Lynne Dawson; David James; John Potter; Paul Hillier Meredith Monk: Gotham Lullaby; Meredith Monk (vocals), Brodsky Quartet.
05 LAST	John Adams	20050204	Donald Macleod ends his exploration of the birth and spread of Minimalism, with a look at the early works of the composer who has risen to become one of the most popular composers in America's concert halls. China Gates Bruce Brubaker (piano) Shaker Loops Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Marin Alsop (conductor) Nixon in CHINA - extracts Nixon....James Maddalena Chou En-lai....Sanford Sylvan Orchestra of St Luke's Grand Pianola Music Part II - 'On the Dominant Divide'LONDON Sinfonietta John Adams (conductor).