An American composer died on the last day of 2024
RIPFriends have reported that the quietly influential minimalist composer Tom Johnson died this morning at the age of 85.
As critic for the Village Voice in the 1970s, he tracked the rise of Glass-Reich type minimalism and soon joined the party himself.
Starting with Rational Melodies in 1982, he developed new ways of exploiting repetition and cross-rhythms, often using visual and text elements to enhance the experience. Johnson migrated to France in 1983.
A thought-provoking composer who advanced minimalist and experimental music, and an interesting person. RIP, Tom.
RIP. Have enjoyed his mu, which ought to be better known.
Fun memories of rehearsing and performing his Four Note Opera.
Has the implicit harmonic implications that have been utilized by Alan Hovhaness
Hovahness born in 1911, started composing at a young age. You sure it’s not the other way around?
Just saying that they both seemed to have the same influences (Ambrosian Chant to cite one)…I don’t think anyone would say that Johnson made more of it than Hovhaness did.
Tom was a longtime active member of the American Church in Paris, whose choir I sang in till the longtime music director was unceremoniously booted out a couple of years ago (this seems to be a trend). I often spoke with Tom about musical matters and always enjoyed our chats. Very sorry to learn here about his death.