Composer

:

Terry Riley

Genre

:

Electronic/Computer

Style

:

Electronic Music

Compose Date

:

1967

Average_duration

:

39:47

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

"Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band" is a minimalist composition by Terry Riley, an American composer and pioneer of the minimalist movement. The piece was composed in 1968 and premiered on November 9, 1968, at the University of California, Berkeley. The composition consists of two movements, each lasting approximately 20 minutes. The first movement features Riley on soprano saxophone and a tape delay system, which allows him to create loops and layers of sound. The second movement features Riley on electric organ and a similar tape delay system. The piece is characterized by its repetitive and hypnotic patterns, which gradually evolve and change over time. The use of tape delay allows Riley to create a sense of space and depth, as well as to layer different sounds on top of each other. The title of the piece is a reference to the fictional character Poppy Nogood, who appears in the writings of William S. Burroughs. The "Phantom Band" refers to the use of tape delay to create the illusion of multiple performers. "Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band" is considered a landmark work in the minimalist movement, which emerged in the 1960s as a reaction against the complexity and intellectualism of contemporary classical music. Minimalist composers sought to create music that was simple, repetitive, and accessible, often using electronic instruments and tape manipulation techniques. Overall, "Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band" is a mesmerizing and immersive work that showcases Riley's innovative use of technology and his ability to create complex textures and rhythms with minimal means.

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