Minimalism

Originating in the American avant-garde of the early 1960s, Minimalism is a compositional framework built on radical reduction and repetition. Pioneered by composers like *La Monte Young* and *Terry Riley*, it departs from serialist complexity by employing consonant harmony, steady pulses, and slowly evolving melodic or rhythmic patterns. Compositions are often 'process music,' where the structure unfolds according to a set of simple rules. The resulting sonic texture is hypnotic and immersive, using both acoustic ensembles and electronic sources to create vast, meditative soundscapes. Its principles shaped the development of ambient, post-rock, and various forms of electronic dance music.