Minimalism and time: the perception of temporality in American minimalist music from1958 to 1974

Abstract

This thesis examines the ways in which American minimalist music affects the listener's perception of temporality by applying the phenomenological approach, particularly that of Husserl, to the music of La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The output of each composer, especially between 1958 and 1974, is examined individually, and then a detailed discussion on the relationship between their music and the perception of temporality is given in the final chapter. It will be shown that the durational minimalism of Young can create an apparent state of timelessness, whilst the repetitive minimalism of Riley, Reich and Glass can cause effects as diverse as time retardation and non- directional time. Crucially, it will be shown that different types and styles of minimalist music can cause different effects on the listener’s perception of temporality. The relationship between minimalism in the visual arts and the perception of spatiality will also be discussed - it will be found that the relationship is analogous and instructive.