Expert: David Froom - 4/26/2008

Question
Hi there,
I have a question on minimalist music. Would you say that the texture of this style is mainly homophonic, polyphonic or heterophonic? I understand that all can occur at different times, but just to know if within minimalism it is more likely, as default option, to end up hearing one of these more frequently.
Thx so much for any help you may provide.
Take care

Answer
That's a really interesting question!  I think it probably depends on the importance of the melody or melodic fragments.  Something like Reich's phase pieces (like Clapping Music or Piano Phase) might best be described as polyphonic, as the repeating bits have a strong profile, and are subjected to rigorous canonic technique.  On the other hand, something like an aria from an Adam's opera might be homophonic, with a melodic line set over an accompaniment that is made up of repetitive bits.  I'm not sure I've heard any heterophonic minimal music.  

I wonder what you do with something like Riley's "In C"?  There the fragments are not rigorously set in any kind of rhythmic relationship, though they play contrapuntally off one another.  I think, in that case, with the result being a kind of happy accumulation of sound, that it is more homophonic than anything else.

I hope I've helped.

David Froom