Repetitive Minimalism in the Work of Philip Glass. Composition Techniques

Abstract

The music which renders Philip Glass’ vision is based on repetition. Musical figures are structured according to the so-called additive method – undoubtedly the main technique determining the characteristics of his style. It consists of adding new elements to the basic melodic and/or rhythmic structure, resulting in an expanding musical discourse which is augmented or diminished and is applied more and more melodic and rhythmic constraints, depending on the intentions of the compositional project. There is also the loop technique, which becomes manifest by a series of added elements from electro acoustics and which is almost omnipresent as a basic minimalist technique.