Music in Eight Parts (open version) (1970)

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.

Instrumentation

This edition of Music in Eight Parts is adapted for flexible instrumentation. Parts are included in C (in the appropriate clef as well as alto clef), and in B-flat, E-flat, and F transpositions. Additionally, 4 keyboard parts that are each a combination of 2 lines are included.

Note on the Open version

The early Philip Glass Ensemble welcomed any musician who wanted to play, and as a result, the instrumentation changed often, up until 1974 when Music in Twelve Parts was completed. This edition captures the “all are welcome” spirit.

This edition includes optional changes made for the 2020 recording of the piece, arranged by Ensemble director Michael Riesman, to reflect the fully developed performance practice of the Ensemble. These differences are noted in gray.

Singers are recommended to sing on solfège, as is common in Glass’s early works.

Keyboard sounds are left to the discretion of the performers. It is recommended that performers use equipment and program sounds that they are familiar with.

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. This edition includes recommended cues.