Episode 495: Terry Riley

On today's episode, I talk to modern composer Terry Riley. Originally from Colfax, CA, Terry began studying composition and performing solo piano in the 1950s. He befriended and collaborated with composer La Monte Young, and through the '60s further refined his sound. Terry's 1964 revolutionary composition "In C" essentially launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement. The piece's interlocking repetitive patterns changed the course of 20th century music, and its influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass, as well as in the music of rock groups such as The Who and Soft Machine, as well as in collaborations with everyone from John Cale to Pauline Oliveros to Kronos Quartet. Since the '60s, Terry hasn't slowed down a moment, and he continues to compose and perform, and his latest recording is 2019's The Lion's Throne, a collaboration with singer Amelia Cuni. This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter.