Philip Glass - Symphony No. 2 (1998)

Philip Glass is recognized as one of the most prominent composers
associated with musical minimalism, the other major figures being Steve
Reich, Terry Riley, and John Adams. His style is easily recognizable
because of its use of repetition, particularly the repetition of small
distinctive rhythmic and melodic cells, and its reliance on traditional
diatonic harmonies. In some of his early works, like "Two Pages" (1967),
the whole of the piece evolves from a single unit that expands as notes are
added. In later works, such as the massive "Music in Twelve Parts"
(1971-1974), expansion comes by lengthening of note values and other
inventive processes.

Many describe his music in the minimalist vein as mesmerizing; others hear
it as numbingly repetitive and devoid of variety in its simplicity. The
latter view of his style is itself simplistic and fails to take into
account the subtleties and complexities found in the many ways Glass varies
and shapes his material. His later styles, since the 1980s, embrace more
than just minimalism and include a broad neo-Romanticism, with greater
emphasis on melody and more complex harmonies. Glass is one of the most
popular and succesful classical composers of the late 20th and early 21st
centuries, with a broad fan base that includes both rock and classical
enthusiasts.