THE COLORS OF MINIMALISM (6/23/2011)

Knowing of my interest in American music, Don Gillespie recommended that see the documentary film The Colors of the Prism, the Mechanics of Time by filmmaker Jacqueline Caux and her husband, the musicologist Daniel Caux.  As both had been long admirers and friends of avant-garde art, this documentary allows them to share this interest with audiences.

                                                  Anthology Film Forum

Interestingly, the film begins with a shot of New York and moves to a subway stop just one block from the Anthology Film Archives building.  John Cage (speaking French) set up the documentary by expressing his views on Arnold Schoenberg's development of the twelve-tone system, a system that Schoenberg claimed would insure the supremacy of German music for 100 years.  This attitude was, of course, anathema to Cage who saw the idea of every individual having the freedom to develop his or her own music.  A system that could  provide a foundation and yet be open-ended was more of his ideal.

                       This corner of 2nd Ave. and 1st St. looks the same as it did when the film was made.

One of the film's great values is the footage of  all of the composers highlighted.  Mr. Cage is seen preparing a piano and looking over the shoulder of a pianist who is playing his Sonatas and Interludes.  Pauline Oliveros improvises on the accordion, La Monte Young demonstrates his use of drone at the piano, Terry Riley improvises at the piano.  Steve Reich is part of the ensemble performing his Music for 18 Musicians.

I especially enjoyed hearing Terry Riley speak to his use of minimalism and observe is skill as a jazz pianist.

LaMonte Young's piano improvisation was also quite absorbing.

This documentary points up the importance of the individual voice in the music of today.  It forms a nice companion to the documentary Betty Freeman:  A Life for the Unknown which highlights the work of Harry Partch and John Adams.