The Use of Minimalism in Film Music

Understanding Minimalism

Minimalism is a style of music that emerged in the late 20th century characterised by simplicity and repetition.
It relies on repeated patterns and gradual changes, creating a hypnotic or static effect.
Minimalism is predominantly used in film scores to convey a sense of timelessness, space, or for capturing complex emotional states.

How Minimalism is Used in Film Music

In film music, minimalism often serves to create dramatic tension by emphasising both the on-screen action and the internal emotional world of the characters.
Minimalist scores often use a limited set of notes or chords, repeating them extensively with slight variations each time.
This type of music can evaluate or suggest time in films, allowing the viewers to experience the passing of time in a transformative way.

Notable Minimalist Film Composers

Philip Glass is a prominent minimalist composer who has contributed greatly to film music. His works like ‘Koyaanisqatsi’ reflect his minimalist approach.
Michael Nyman is renowned for his minimalist score in ‘The Piano’, with the same musical ideas featuring repeatedly throughout the film.
John Adams is known for his minimalist approach in ‘The Chairman Dances’, used in the film ‘I Am Love’.

Key Tracks to Listen to

‘Opening’ from ‘Glassworks’ by Philip Glass : This piece features repetitive sequences of notes that gradually change and evolve, a core characteristic of minimalism.
‘The Heart Asks Pleasure First’ from ‘The Piano’ by Michael Nyman : The music mainly consists of the repetition of a single theme, with subtle variations introduced over time.
‘The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra’ by John Adams : The pulsing and repeating patterns in the music create a sense of continuous movement, a key element of minimalism.

Key Takeaways

Grasping the concept of minimalism and its application in film scores can deepen the understanding of how music can underscore or amplify onscreen emotion and narrative timing. Knowledge about notable minimalist composers and their works will help refine the understanding and appreciation of this musical style in a filmic context.