• Philip Glass
  • Music in Eight Parts (1970 version) (1970)

  • Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc (World)
  • 2ssx/3eorg/va.vc

Programme Note

Music in Eight Parts was completed in 1970. It is described by Glass as “an abandoned piece,” retired after only two years of performances, as he began focusing on composing and performing Music in Twelve Parts from 1971–1974.

For years, he thought no manuscript had survived, having sold it to pay off debt incurred by the original production of Einstein on the Beach. It was brought back to Glass’s attention in 2018 when the manuscript was sold at an auction, at which point his publisher and ensemble decided to give the work new life.

Note on the 1970 version

In 1970, the Philip Glass Ensemble performed with Farfisa Compact electric organs. Today, keyboard sounds and equipment are left to the discretion of the performers.

Each rehearsal figure should be openly repeated until a leader gives a signal to move on. Common performance practice is to repeat the figure two more times after a signal is given, but this may be determined by the performers, and might be adjusted depending on tempo or the length of a figure.