Terry Riley (1934-Present)

Introduction
Riley is an American composer and performing musician born in California in 1935. Riley was heavily influenced by both jazz and Indian classical music.

Work Analysis
I chose to analyze In The Summer by Terry Riley. The song was released in 1975 off of Riley’s album Lifespan. This piece revolves around two lines. One being played at the forefront and another being played in the background almost as an arpeggiated synth. There is also something that sounds like vocals that comes in. The lines are very repetitive and can be hypnotic.

Comparisons
This sounds like something I would hear in a movie theme. It reminded me of the movie Interstellar due to its ​​​​​​​repetitiveness and space feel. The while there is a non-ambient quality to it, I found that it also has the ability to be very experimental and ambient as well.

Observations
I truly enjoyed this piece. It’s simplicity really stands out to me and I enjoy simplicity. I found his use of the arpeggios and voices to be well done. I almost felt like I was taking a journey through space as I listened to this piece that I did not necessarily want it to end.