Counterpoint Examples: 20th & 21st Century Minimalist

One of the styles that evolved after the 12-tone, dissonant, academic counterpoint of the early and middle 20th century was Minimalism. It was pioneered by LaMont Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. They embraced repetitive, rhythmic music with layers of independent lines and a high degree of stasis. Many notable composers expanded Minimalist concepts, including John C. Adams and Louis Andriessen.

See also 16th & 17th Century Concert, 18th & 19th Centuries,   20th Century Concert, 20th & 21st Century Popular.  

La Monte Young (1935)

Trio for Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)    [YouTube]  begin at 3:25

Terry Riley (1935)

In C (1964)  [PDF]  [YouTube]
A Rainbow in Curved Air   [YouTube]

Steve Reich (1936)

It’s Gonna Rain (Dual Tape Recorders)    [YouTube]  beginning to 7:47
Clapping Music  [PDF] [YouTube] 
Drumming  [YouTube]
Piano Phase  [PDF] [YouTube]
Music for 18 Musicians
(Mixed Chamber)  [YouTube]
Desert Music
(Mixed Chamber)  [YouTube]

Philip Glass (1937)

Mad Rush (1979)  (Piano)  [YouTube] 
Glassworks (1982)  (Mixed Chamber)  [YouTube] 
Einstein on the Beach, Dance 2 (Opera)  [YouTube] 

John C. Adams (1947)

Shaker Loops (1982)   [YouTube]
A Short Ride in a Fast Machine (Orchestra)  [YouTube]
Naïve and Sentimental Music (Orchestra)  [YouTube]

Louis Andriessen (1939-2021)

De Staat (1976)  [YouTube] 
De Stijl (1985)  [YouTube] 

William Duckworth (1943-2012)

The Time Curve Preludes (Piano)   [YouTube]

Klaus Schulze (1942-2022)

Timewind (Synthesis and Recordings)   [YouTube] 
Into the Blue (Synthesis and Recordings)   [YouTube] 
Sense (Synthesis and Recordings)   [YouTube]  

Vangelis (1943-2022)

Soil Festivities, Mvt. 1   [YouTube]

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