Subscribe to Dacapo's newsletter

Terry Riley

composer
1935
California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic "In C" in 1964. Riley's hypnotic, multi-layered, polymetric, brightly orchestrated eastern flavored improvisations and compositions set the stage for the prevailing interest in a New Tonality. In 1970, Terry Riley became a disciple of the revered North Indian Raga Vocalist, Pandit Pran Nath and made the first of his numerous trips to India to study with the Master. He appeared frequently in concert with the legendary singer as tampura, tabla and vocal accompanist over the next 26 years until Pran Naths passing in 1996. While teaching at Mills College in Oakland in the 1970's he met David Harrington, founder and leader of the Kronos Quartet that began the long association that has so far produced 13 string quartets, a quintet, Crows Rosary and a concerto for string quartet, "The Sands" which was the Salzburg Festival's first ever new music commission and the "2003 Sun Rings", the multi media piece for choir, visuals and Space sounds, commissioned by NASA. Most recently he has completed "The Cusp Of Magic", for string quartet and pipa. "Cadenza on the Night Plain" was selected by both Time and Newsweek as one of the 10 best Classical albums of the year. The epic 5 quartet cycle, "Salome Dances for Peace" was selected as the 1 Classical album of the year by USA Today and was nominated for a Grammy. Terry Riley has also scored 3 feature films and has made music for numerous short films.
  • Terry Riley

    In C