PHILIP GLASS “ Runaway Horses ” from Mishima
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1937 , Baltimore , MD
• Philip Glass was born in Baltimore and studied music growing up at the Peabody Preparatory . Glass ’ father owned a music store that held a reputation as Baltimore ’ s leading source of modern music . This played a large role in developing Glass ’ musical exploration .
• Glass has gone on to become one of the most famous American composers of the 20th century . He developed a new sound , often referred to as minimalism , which has influenced countless other composers who have come after him .
• In addition to winning a Golden Globe , Glass has been nominated for three Academy Awards and was a 2018 Kennedy Center Honoree . He has collaborated with Paul Simon , Mick Jagger , Leonard Cohen , and Aphex Twin and has written music for an array of movies .
FUN FACT
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1985
MUSIC Stevie Wonder ’ s “ Part Time Lover ”
FILM The Color Purple
TECHNOLOGY Windows 1.0 is released
Philip Glass is first cousins with NPR host Ira Glass .
ABOUT THE PIECE
• In 1985 , Philip Glass composed the score to the film Mishima : A Life in Four Chapters , a fictionalized account of the life of Japanese author , Yukio Mishima .
• The work was also used in the soundtrack to the film The Truman Show 13 years later .
LITERATURE Margaret Atwood ’ s The Handmaid ’ s Tale
HISTORY Michael Jordan is named NBA Rookie of the Year
BSO SESSIONS | APRIL 2021
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