Jonathan Fitoussi is a Paris-based artist whose practice involves analog and modular synthesis as well as rare and unorthodox instruments. Besides scoring the soundtracks for TV films and theaters, he has also released music as a solo artist on iconic French labels Versatile Records and Pan European Recording among others.

Diagonals, Fitoussi’s latest record, appears on November 16 on Hands In The Dark. For the occasion of the release of his album, that was recorded live during a concert at St. James Church Crypt in London in the summer of 2018, the artist has compiled a list with his favorite minimalist compositions. Be prepared to discover true gems from some of the genre’s best-known maestros next to rather unknown pieces.

 

Steve Reich—Music for 18 Musicians

A classic—Music for 18 Musicians is a masterpiece of contemporary music. Pure, timeless, mathematical and it could have been written for machines.

 

Glenn Branca—Lesson N°1 for Electric Guitar

I love this piece just for its power and raw energy…

 

Peter Michael Hamel—Nada

In general, Peter Michael Hamel’s work is very rich, but this particular piece is strongly influenced by the work of Terry Riley.

 

Philip Glass—Music in Twelve Part 

A friend of mine introduced me to this piece, when I was 19 years old. It was a revelation! Ever since a copy of this record, with its beautiful artwork designed by Sol LeWitt, has found itself close to my turntable.

 

Bernard Baschet—Iranon

A beautiful piece written for three Cristal Baschet and voices, that sounds like an Indian raga. The Cristal Baschet is a marvelous instrument developed by the Baschet brothers, who I was lucky to know.

 

Jonathan Fitoussi’s Diagonals is out on November 16, 2018 via Hands In The Dark. Listen to side B below and get the album here.