Minimalism in a Glass Cage

Minimalism in a Glass Cage


Minimalism, as used in the context of a musical term, incorporates many different elements that when applied to compositional works, can make their overall classification difficult to define. Within the term itself there exists alternate views and definitions regarding the concepts surrounding it and what it actually is. Is it a style, or a technique--as I believe, or is it simply a term that can be applied however one wishes? Within this paper I seek to answer this very question, presenting some conclusions regarding the meaning of minimalism, and to define it for myself. I plan to accomplish this by discussing minimalism through my own analysis of select compositions and through the discussion of the compositional techniques of the following composers: Philip Glass (“Opening” from “Glassworks” and “Spaceship” from “Einstein on the Beach”); John Cage (“Constructions Nos. 1 & 3”); and ...