Minimalism
When did minimalism in music begin to emerge?
Early 1960s
Which composers are most closely associated with minimalism?
Philip Glass and Steve Reich
Which Japanese composer is best known for his long collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli films?
Joe Hisaishi
Which composer, born in 1949 in New Rochelle, NY, helped launch the Disney Renaissance era?
Alan Menken
Which composer is famous for creating iconic themes for Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda?
Koji Kondo
How did electronic music and minimalism impact film in the late 20th and early 21st centuries?
They reshaped film sound with new textures and styles.
Which film composer is known for combining orchestra with layered synths and driving rhythms?
Hans Zimmer
How does Shore’s music support storytelling in The Lord of the Rings trilogy?
By mirroring the mythic journey, such as good vs. evil and home vs. adventure
Which of the following best describes Joe Hisaishi’s musical influences?
Classical, jazz, minimalism, and Japanese folk traditions
Which composer is best known for expanding video game music into symphonic, emotional storytelling through the Final Fantasy series?
Nobuo Uematsu
What was one reason modern composers turned to minimalism?
To reject complexity and seek spirituality in music.
What feature is commonly found in Hans Zimmer’s film scores?
Epic textures, pulsing bass, and minimalist repetition.
Which best describes Howard Shore’s compositional style?
Grand, orchestral, and heavily thematic
Which Disney films are among Alan Menken’s most famous works?
The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin
Why did early video game composers rely on short, catchy loops?
Limited technology only allowed for 8-bit sound chips
Which of the following best describes minimalism in music?
Repetitive patterns, gradual change, and hypnotic textures.
How do Howard Shore and Joe Hisaishi differ in their approaches to film scoring?
Shore draws on Western symphonic traditions, while Hisaishi blends Eastern and hybrid styles
What is a leitmotif in film music?
A recurring theme tied to a character, place, or idea
How does Joe Hisaishi’s music enhance storytelling in Studio Ghibli films?
By creating dreamlike, nostalgic, and magical atmospheres
What is “adaptive music” in early video games?
Music that changes with player actions, such as speeding up in stressful moments
What is a feature of minimalism in music?
Use of endlessly repeating phrases and found sounds.
What is one way their scores shape the film experience?
Shore’s music feels epic and mythic, while Hisaishi’s feels intimate and poetic
Which of the following best describes Howard Shore’s use of orchestration in The Lord of the Rings?
Large ensembles, choirs, and exotic instruments
What are common characteristics of Joe Hisaishi’s musical style?
Intimate, lyrical, emotional sound worlds with singable themes
How did Nobuo Uematsu’s work transform video game music?
He developed strong melodic themes and orchestral scores that rival films