Steve Reich's infinite loops influenced David Bowie and Radiohead

Steve Reich and Philip Glass, minimalist composers from New York's experimental counterculture of the 1960s, revolutionized music with their innovative ideas. Their influence stretched far beyond their initial circles, shaping the musical landscape in ways previously unimaginable. Minimalist music, characterized by its harmonically static nature and slow harmonic changes, emerged as a reaction against the complex music of the 1950s.

These composers drew inspiration from various sources, including jazz musicians like John Coltrane and even Indian classical music, with La Monte Young and Terry Riley studying under Pandit Pran Nath. Minimalism blurred the lines between music and performance art, with some works consisting of just two sustained notes or silence.

However, it was the repetition of musical patterns that became the hallmark of minimalist music, creating "infinite loops" that evolved gradually over time. Composers like Reich's Piano Phase, Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel, and Philip Glass's Etudes and Metamorphosis exemplify this concept. Performing minimalist music requires a high level of technical skill, as performers must constantly be aware of their position within the piece.

Despite its apparent simplicity, minimalist music allows listeners to uncover deeper layers of meaning. Composer Sally Whitwell, who has worked extensively with Reich and Glass, describes the genre's ability to evoke profound emotional responses. Steve Reich's development of phase music, in particular, was transformative for the movement.

His Different Trains, which incorporates recordings of Holocaust survivors into musical phrases and creates loops, is considered one of the most significant works of the 20th century. By the 1970s, minimalist ideas had permeated ambient and electronic genres, with Brian Eno's Music for Airports becoming a defining work of the ambient genre.

Minimalism's impact can be heard in various musical styles, including Bowie's Weeping Wall and Radiohead's Let Down. The genre's influence is also evident in contemporary film and television scores, with composers such as Max Richter and Hans Zimmer continuing the minimalist tradition.