Philip Glass

So here we are on a Friday night, the Eve of something big. My thoughts wander around my room as I listen to the cold fresh keys of Philip Glass. I figured this would be a good time to write my blog about him, seeing as I will probably not be sleeping anytime soon.. :)

I wanted to write a blog about Philip Glass because I truly feel that his pieces of music are genius. To be honest, during the first year I listened to Glass, I remained relatively uninterested and unimpressed. (Minus listening to "Truman Sleeps" from the Truman Show..) I found the songs I had listened to to be very simple, repetitive, and minimalistic. (Duh, he's a minimalist, Madelyn. I know..i know..)

I felt this way for quite some time.. And then it clicked. It all clicked in this beautiful and triumph way. His music is genius.. magical.

Glass has a way of creating music that transcends listeners into a completely different and complex world.. Even in his simplest songs, his piano motifs and phrases combined with his extreme attention to dynamics and rhythms have the ability to facilitate very lucid spiritual depth.. In order to truly obtain this experience and profoundness Glass webs into every piece, one must softly attach his or herself to the sound while simultaneously free floating alongside it. I think of it somewhat like holding someone's thumb in your fist only ever so slightly..Both feelings, the feeling of someone holding your thumb and the feeling of holding someone else's. Such a peculiarly loose feeling.. But, a trusting hold nonetheless.

One must let the music guide thoughts.. Closed eyes, open ears, open mind.
In this way, it is possible to see all of the images Glass paints with his music, the open spaces, the in-betweens, the cascading woodwinds and strings, the potential laced in every note. In this way, we begin to hear his music not as a repetitive stream, but a swirling river of thought bubbling with the capability of new growth because of its stable basis. It's so beautiful..
Perhaps, I shouldn't explain it more.. It really is something you have to understand through yourself when you are ready..

A few weeks ago, I sat down late at night and began learning Philip Glass's "Opening." After what felt like five minutes, I checked my clock to find that three hours had passed. Amazing.. Truly immersed in his piece, I saw bright and vibrant images..memories..things I had never before seen.. The music became something else, something beyond music. Like hypnotic ear exercise or something..
I played for three hours and didn't realize it. The song made me forget time. Travel time. I don't know..

"Satyagraha" was much the same experience. I remember during one act I completely forgot where I was..like I had somehow closed my eyes while leaving them open. Like my chair was suddenly this foreign thing beneath me, pressing up against me.
Just incredible...

I think the beautiful thing about his music is that it gives us something to tie our thoughts to as we wander through our minds. It grounds listeners in a steady somethingness that allows for growth and rebirth. All through the clarity of glass.. It's genius. I don't quite understand how he does it.. I analyzed the "Opening" piece.. and it's just so simple. The rhythms are odd, yes. The dynamics are perfectly placed.. As if Glass had some super intelligent knowledge of exactly the right point to place the crescendos and decrescendos to foster a connection with the song.

I don't know. I'm just amazed...Perhaps I'm over-analyzing.. But I just think he's incredible.
I definitely recommend checking out his opera "Satyagraha" if you ever get the chance to see it. It's all about the life and struggles of Ghandi.. Sung in Sanskrit and everything..

Also check out these songs:

"Opening" by Philip Glass


"Island" by Philip Glass


"Escape! (Piano Solo)" by Philip Glass