"
Just as I was getting ready to leave a loft concert, an inquisitive young man, perhaps 20 years old, approached me. Apparently someone had told him I was a critic, and he figured I might be able to understand the music he had just heard. “Why are so many people playing minimalist music these days? What is it all about?”
I thought for a moment about what I ought to say and settled for a brief generalization. “It has a lot to do with repetition.” It was not a complete answer, of course, but I thought I’d settle for it for the time being and see how he responded.
Through a nearby window one could hear a truck passing by. At the other side of the room one of the musicians was talking to a friend who had come to the concert. In front of me, the young man was looking into my eyes, intent on the subject of minimalism and trying to work it all out.
He talked a little about how he didn’t think repetition was very interesting and about how he didn’t think anyone could be seriously concerned with that, and decided to try me again. “So what is it really about?”
I thought for a moment about what I ought to say this time, and settled for another generalization. “It has a lot to do with tiny variations.” It was not a complete answer, of course, but I thought I’d settle for it for the time being and see how he responded.
Through the nearby window one could hear another truck passing by. At the other side of the room one of the musicians was disconnecting his electronic equipment. In front of me, the young man was staring at the floor, intent on the subject of minimalism and trying to work it all out.
…
"What is minimalism really about? by Tom Johnson, 1977
