During my long run last week, I caught a fascinating interview with “classicist” composer Philip Glass on Terry Gross’ “Fresh Air” podcast. For the uninitiated, Glass is an influential, prolific, and controversial musician, whose mediums include opera, chamber music, film scores, and symphonies. Drawing from the worlds of classical European music, his compositions also embody elements of rock, electronica, and world music. To many casual listeners, his pieces are stark, emotional, and very, very repetitive.
The cause for the interview is Glass’ new memoir Words Without Music. Gross asks him about various concert reactions (a man once rushed the stage and started beating on Glass’ piano), the simple power of arpeggios, and his various “day jobs” he endured until his 40’s, a fact that I take a strange comfort in. I’m happy to go on record as saying Terry Gross is the finest interviewer I know and this interview is a fascinating one.
If you’re feeling brave, here’s a video I found of Philip Glass playing live.
[vimeo 59982628]Read my comment policy.
