10 Influential Albums #8: Music in Fifths by Philip Glass

Composers Michael Small and Suzanne Ciani took me to hear Philip Glass for the first time at Town Hall, where I’d seen the Mothers a few years before and where I would also hear the world premiere of Reich’s Music for Eighteen Musicians a few years later. The piece was Another Look at Harmony Parts I and II and to say the least, I hated it. But something intrigued me and a few days later, I bought this record at an art gallery in Soho. I listened to it once, twice, and then the third time, I finally got it. Slow learner.

I don’t need to rehearse how important Philip’s music is. He’s now world-famous and rightly so. But back then, the mid-70’s, his music was vilified. There were only a few of us, notably Tim Page and Meredith Monk, who really understood what he was up to.

I know that Similar Motion is considered the greater piece, but I’ve always loved Music in Fifths. Philip would move on from this style a year or so after Einstein and he’s written a lot of great music. But those early pieces are haunting and point to, yes, another look not only at harmony, but at the entire Western musical tradition.

When I was at CBS Masterworks, I was part of the team that signed Philip Glass to his first major label contract. I may have been the first to suggest they do so, back in ‘77, but I was laughed it. It wasn’t until 1980 or ‘81 that it happened. I also worked for Philip for a little bit and recently ran into him at a preview for King Lear. A great guy and a great composer.