EVDOL 38 - The Many Minimal Ways: Exploring Musical Minimalism

Sam Nester
Step into the mesmerizing world of musical minimalism and uncover the profound shifts it catalyzed in the landscape of 20th-century music. This immersive course invites you to explore the rhythmic intricacies and hypnotic patterns that define this revolutionary style, pioneered by iconic figures like Steve Reich, Philip Glass, La Monte Young, and Terry Riley. Known as the “American Four,” these composers reimagined musical boundaries through minimalistic methods, creating expansive soundscapes with limited material.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. Delve deeper into the minimalist movement with influential artists like Yoko Ono, Brian Eno, Pauline Oliveros, and Arvo Pärt. Their pioneering contributions have continued to resonate, influencing a wide array of genres and modern artists. Through engaging lectures, listening sessions, and discussions, this course will demonstrate how minimalist principles have permeated diverse artistic practices, influencing everything from contemporary classical compositions to ambient music and sound art.

Join us to discover how minimalism’s subtle complexities and repetitive motifs have not only reshaped musical composition but also continue to inspire and challenge our perceptions of sound and space today. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a seasoned composer, or a curious newcomer, this course will enrich your understanding of one of the most influential movements in contemporary music.

5 weeks

Thursdays 6–8pm ET

April 1–29

In Person Only

$340