Music Is a Continuum | Composer Terry Riley | Louisiana Channel
"Music is the evolvement of the human spirit with sounds". Meet the pioneering composer Terry Riley whose minimalistic and hypnotic works have inspired musicians and composers for decades. We visited him in his new home in Japan.
Terry Riley was born in California in 1935, and his first memory of music was at the age of three, a song called "South of The Border (Down Mexico Way)". "It was such an emotional shock to my system," he recalls. "It stayed with me throughout my life: This is what music can do and how deeply it can affect you, maybe as deep as any experience you can have in life."
Terry Riley has walked a unique way in composing. "I have a hard time with musical categories. I am called a minimalist, and what the hell does that mean? That I only brush my teeth once a week? I think there are only two kinds of music, good and bad," Riley says.
"When I compose, I don't plan things like an architect drawing everything out and then filling in the dots. Instead, I work like a sculptor putting a little here and a little there and then seeing where it is going to go, so I kind of work in a plastic way, actually a pragmatic way," Riley explains.
"For me, music is a continuum, and beginnings and endings aren't that important because you are just tuning into a sound turn. You get people onto a train and let them off. There is no final ending like Beethoven with a big cadence, and I don't do that".
Even at a high age, Riley still performs on stage. "I definitely like to be performing as long as I am able to because, to me, a lot of ideas are created: The fire of the stage always brings new material. The intensity and the way you have to be when you are improvising on stage invite new things in because you are taking chances. Performing is a good way to keep in shape, it is like a boxer, if you don't fight and go out once in a while, you are going to be knocked out".
Terry Riley (b. 1935) is an American composer and performing musician. He is a pioneer of the minimalist school of composition, which was launched by his composition 'In C' (1964), which is today considered a classic. In 1969 Riley released 'A Rainbow in Curved Air', also considered a landmark of minimalism. Riley has composed numerous works, and he has inspired composers such as Phillip Glass and Steve Reich and influenced experimental music, rock, and contemporary electronic music. Riley's collaborators include the Kronos Quartet and John Zorn. London Sunday Times listed Terry Riley as "one of the 1000 makers of the 20th Century."
Terry Riley was interviewed by Jens H. Jensen in Yamanashi, Japan in June 2022.
Cameras: Yudai Maruyama
Edit: Signe Boe Pedersen
Produced by Christian Lund & Signe Boe Pedersen
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2023
Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet, C.L. Davids Fond og Samling and Fritz Hansen.
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Пікірлер: 183
*Terry Riley: "Create a culture that invites ideas in." Watch the composer give his advice to the young right here:* kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zqqiy7mxp82umdo.html
@mehdycifrut7814
Жыл бұрын
Thanx for this extract. Well choosen. Is it posible to have a subtitle for the full video? Such important subject
Dude looks pretty amazing for pushing 90.
This man's legacy is of inestimable importance to Human Civilization. Thanks Terry
@daviddevilliers2828
Жыл бұрын
🙏
@daviddevilliers2828
Жыл бұрын
@@jackisgallant lion’s throne with wonderful Amelia Cuni
@TheNimasan
Жыл бұрын
words my man!
@highvibee
Жыл бұрын
I agree 💗
The most alive I've ever felt was sitting in the park in the summer underneath a tree with headphones on, listening to Terry's Descending Moonshine Dervishes while watching the tall grass dance in the breeze and sunlight... I was completely sober but had a powerful spiritual experience.
@warshipsatin8764
3 ай бұрын
i had almost the same exact experience with poppy nogood and the phantom band
@skwaab
29 күн бұрын
I had the same with Tangerine Dream's Rubycon
I want to be as tapped in as brother here. "If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration." -Nikola Tesla
@airrik2653
Жыл бұрын
You've made a beautiful connection: Terry and Nikola... right on!
"Music is the involvement of the Human spirit with Sound". Thank you so much for sharing these words.
@hazelwray4184
Жыл бұрын
the human spirit's "instrumentalization" of sound.
@QuadriviumNumbers
Жыл бұрын
The evolvement of the human spirit.
Thank you Terry!!! "If you know what you're doing, you're doing it wrong" ah, the words I needed to hear today from a person of years, wisdom and ongoing creativity
“If you know what you’re doing in the arts, you’re doing it wrong.” (8:25). I knew right away on hearing that thought, that it would sink tenacious roots in my mind. In my writing and in my music, the relevance is clear. But almost immediately I began to wonder… to what else in life might that apply?
Terry in Japan... 88 years young... Best wishes from Nevada county, your old California playground... 😎
lovely guy.humble and gentle.and cool.just like music.xx
"A Rainbow In Curved Air" remains the best meditation music ever created. Thank you, Terry.
What a joy to see Terry doing so well. He's a genius and we should all be grateful to have him among us.
Don’t know how I got here but I’m glad I did. 🙏🏾✨
I can only hope to be this lucid and thoughtful at his age, maybe thats the effect that tones and vibrations can have on the mind
@oxossindamanso6854
Жыл бұрын
True 👍🏿
Happy Birthday Mr. Riley !
He speaks like earth.
I live in Tokyo but I’ve never seen him but I’ve seen Jim O’rourke in my area. He was probably walking to the station back home after having drink with his mates.
No surprise he is famous. Such a polite man.
The Harp of New Albion is something that changed my way of listening to music. Groundbreaking, it opened my ears to the sound of just intonation tunings
Shine on Terry, and talk to me of Mendocino.
Saw Terry and Gyan in 2020 just before Covid became our reality. The best set I could have seen as my last live show for more than a year. Deep thanks to this human.
I relate to everything he is saying. Thank you God for him and me.
If they only did something like this in the 70s about him
I love listening to this man's music while tripping on mushrooms. Just fascinating.
Loved this. Genuis!
Spontaneity is all about expressing the in-between of the Living Event - its a weaving of eternal giving and receiving without beginning or end - its a strong intensity 🌷💗
Cool cat. Thanks for the music and inspirations sir.
Oh Thanks. I just welcomed my first child and so was naturally revisiting Terry's music. Really enjoying these insights
Looking good, Terry! Thank you for your continued genius, humility, and wisdom.
Music pioneer🧡
Good know that he is still with us
Fantastic. have admire Riley for a long time. First time I hear him talking about his work. Thanks a lot for this.
I enjoyed the deep dive...I enjoy modal Punjabi Music..He does it almost effortless &: With a Flow of Good Warm Energy like his life itself..Again, Merci Beaucoup 143... CapriceK
Terry Riley, your music - and the music you have influenced - plays such an important role in my life. Thanks!
My man, Mr. Terry Riley. 🎉🌈🎉 x🏵️
I had the honor of seeing Terry Riley perform his then recent piano concerto, among other works, with the Paul Dresher Ensemble at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. It was amazing and featured a midi bassoon that shook the earth! I'll never forget that experience. I never realized he has such a pleasant singing voice.
@TzadikTheManic
Жыл бұрын
Paul Dresher is a very fine composer as well, his albums released on New Albion are gems. The (few) Riley discs on New Albion are needless to say essential. Still hoping to catch Riley in concert, closest I’ve come was an unforgettable all-Riley program played by Kronos.
@paxwallace8324
Жыл бұрын
I told Paul Dresher that the lack of harmonic motion in post minimalism didn't work for me especially in Glass. He responded that modulation draws too much attention to itself. But even Steve Reich is using modulation now. But regardless we all need to follow our own path.
@wardka
Жыл бұрын
@@paxwallace8324 When I saw Paul Dresher he was into microtonal music (hence the midi bassoon allowing microtones -- I think). This would have been around 2008 maybe. Neither he nor Terry Riley seemed to play minimalism at the time, thank goodness! Minimalism tends to drive me up the wall.
@paxwallace8324
Жыл бұрын
@@wardka this was early 80s Cornish Seattle
Terry, you're a treasure. Thank you!❤️
That 'Form Is Emptiness' piece made me think of Sun Ra's compositions; am I crazy? Thanks for this!
@crownhood3502
Жыл бұрын
I literally thought the same thing.
@mookelman
Жыл бұрын
Totally not alone in that, we were on that wave man!
@buddhamindsoupbowl7405
Жыл бұрын
Reminds me of my church music
@vigilancebrandon3888
Жыл бұрын
same!
@ShiroKuro13
Жыл бұрын
Reminds me 'all is a lonelyness' of Moondog
Love this!
I went to my local library in Omiya Saitama Japan and sat down in front of a large window about to listen to some sounds and look out the window. Then I saw the sign across the street at the local auditorium and in very simple well spaced letters, "Terry Riley 6 PM" That was a shock but unfortunately the show was sold out.
Terry Riley: so inspiring. Spiritual talent !!
I love the way Terry Riley composes….improvises ….. working in the Living Now. Its so beautifull - I love his way of inviting possibilities in a step by step process - and its very true “ Music is a continuum” 🎶🖤🎵
Thank you for this ! I was desperately waiting for the longer video :) Terry Riley is so fascinating.
Love him, for years his music has carried me, and these words just do the same again.. 🖤
My first song I remember is “Is that all there is” by Peggy Lee. I think I was about 3 years old. 😢it was a sad song to me
very nice video, very nice person, thank you! :)
how you can't love this great artist!!!! i am such a huge huge fan of his. much love and support from munich/germany
Man, he's like the real life Dumbledore. Sign me up for that school of wizardry!
THIS IS PRODUCTIVE 🧘♂️💫
Thank you so much for this long video. I haven’t seen anything from Terry since he moved. He’s such a great soul. I’ve learned a lot from him and hope he can share his energy as much as he’s able while he’s here. Thank you Terry ✨
His opening statement so nails it from his place in music history.
What an absolute legend!
This really means so much. It's emotional to see and think about--to feel. Even way up in Maine.
this is an absolute gem!!
Lovely. Thank you.
I love these thoughts!
what a beautiful soul.
Fantastic. Thank you. Love the content on your channel.
He who has ears to hear sees angels.He is one.
when i was a kid my emotional song was kiss from a rose by seal 🦭💔
Musical beaver...as we travel there are many...Terry gives awesome insight 🗝
Beautiful man. Opened the ears of me and an entire generation
He sings beautifully
Fabulous and amazing.
Such understanding. 💥
i love you terry! thank you so much
Terry Riley!! so much good music he've been discovered and explored... much respect!
@hazelwray4184
Жыл бұрын
'he've'? - He's produced (made/created) and pioneered (explored/invented/initiated).
Wonderful and deeply fascinating
Thank you for creating and sharing this.
An exceptional human being no afraid to use his imagination.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Great video!
Master!!! Namaste!
Legendary Artist.
Fantastic
did i hear right, he was born 1935? That makes him nearly 90 he still looks great.
"Music is the involvement of the human spirit with sound". I see someone else quoted these words for this video, they are so full of meaning for me that I wanted to write them out for myself.
still love your work!!
@ 11:00 i am reminded of MoonDog " All is emptiness. " They probably would've had a good time playing music together.
I understand now. Thanks.
❤
I like your mind, Terry! ;)
Fascinating...first watch..will be back and subscribed
This is eye opening… and ear opening
@jnnx
Жыл бұрын
@Aziz Azif Sodium Pentothal aka “Truth Serum” isn’t remotely psychedelic. . .
Seems like a good and sincere man with a lot of experience and knowledge, who in his searching is thought provoking; perhaps at times more admirable for his experimentation than the results. Plan to listen to more of his work.
How interesting! Funny how him and Nørgård seem totally related all of a sudden!
wow i've heard his music but knew nothing about him. didn't even know he was still alive.
Terry Riley is God🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
legend
🙏
Terry!
This is amazing and inspirational. It’s sad that music is treated like sports. If you’re over a certain age, you’re no longer taken serious as a musician. Creativity does not age like the body. A boxer my be seen as “past their prime” after the age of 35. But when it comes to art and creativity, it’s endless and ageless. It’s sad that the older you get, the harder it is to make a living off of music just because you’re not a “hot” young person. That’s needs to change.
Wow
"If you know what you're doing in the arts then you're doing it wrong"
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
PLEASE INTERVIEW HANS JOACHIM ROEDELIUS BEFORE HE IS DEAD!!!!
Nord keyboards are amazing.
Could anyone point me to full recordings of the songs performed in this video.... I want to hear the whole thing!
Is there anywhere we can listen to that gig? It sounds incredible.
saving the best for last keep them wanting more