Composer

:

Philip Glass

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1979

Average_duration

:

14:25

Mad Rush is a solo piano piece composed by Philip Glass in 1979. It was originally written for the occasion of the visit of the Dalai Lama to New York City, where Glass was living at the time. The piece was premiered by Glass himself at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City on November 15, 1979. Mad Rush is a minimalist composition that consists of a series of repetitive patterns and arpeggios. The piece is characterized by its slow and meditative pace, which gradually builds in intensity and complexity as it progresses. The title of the piece is a reference to the state of mind that Glass experienced while composing it, which he described as a "mad rush" of creative energy. The piece is divided into three distinct movements, each of which has its own unique character and mood. The first movement is marked by a simple and repetitive pattern of arpeggios, which gradually builds in intensity and complexity as it progresses. The second movement is more introspective and contemplative, with a slower and more meditative pace. The final movement is marked by a return to the energetic and complex arpeggios of the first movement, but with a more frenetic and intense pace. Overall, Mad Rush is a powerful and evocative piece of music that showcases Glass's unique style and approach to composition. Its minimalist structure and repetitive patterns create a sense of hypnotic and meditative energy, while its gradual build in intensity and complexity keeps the listener engaged and captivated throughout.

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