Written by Cady Colosimo

It’s pretty crazy to be in the presence of someone like Philip Glass, and to listen to him play piano at Drake’s Sheslow Auditorium was a privilege.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a gloomy Sunday afternoon. The intimate setting of the small, college campus space made it feel all the more special. However, I felt severely underdressed in my windbreaker and converse while the rest of crowd looked liked they arrived from church dressed in their Sunday best. I was also probably one of the youngest attendees, majority of the crowd had distinguished white hair—but that’s what truly great music does; it transcends age and time.

Glass’ career started with his first composition in the 1960’s, but his interest in music began long before. He grew up in Baltimore and had an extensive vinyl collection, thanks to his father who owned a record store.  He later learned to play the flute and went on to study at Julliard.  Unhappy with modern music, Glass moved to Europe and studied music there, eventually returning to the United States and New York in 1967.  It was around this time he, with the help of other musicians, created a new style of music known as “minimalism.”