Minimalism

Minimalism builds music from small melodic or rhythmic patterns, repeated steadily and then altered gradually — a note added, a rhythm shifted slightly, a new layer introduced — rather than through the dramatic contrast and development that drives most earlier classical music. The effect is often hypnotic: change happens, but slowly enough that a listener can feel it unfolding rather than being surprised by it.

The style emerged in the United States in the 1960s and 70s as a reaction against the extreme complexity of mid-century modernism, offering listeners something more direct and texturally simple, even when the underlying process generating the music is quite rigorous.

Composers to know: Philip Glass and Steve Reich are the style's two most influential figures, each with a distinct approach to repetition and gradual change.

Where to start listening: Philip Glass's Glassworks is a gentle, accessible introduction; Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians rewards longer, more immersive listening.