Big tip! Sixty years after the groundbreaking premiere of In C forever changed the course of contemporary music, Terry Riley celebrates the work's enduring legacy with a historic live recording captured at Kyoto's Unesco World Heritage site, Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

One of the most influential composers of our time, Terry Riley has continually redefined the possibilities of music through a career marked by innovation and originality. Described by Riley himself as his signature composition, In C (1964) remains the landmark work of minimalist music, inspiring generations of composers and performers around the world. In 2024, the piece celebrated its 60th anniversary.

This extraordinary performance was realized at Riley's own request as a celebration of In C's "60th birthday." Joined by approximately 50 musicians, Riley returned to perform the work in a deeply symbolic offering concert held on the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.

Although In C continues to be performed worldwide in countless interpretations, Riley had announced his retirement from performing the piece after an acclaimed 2009 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York, declining every invitation to revisit the work ever since. This performance therefore marked his first appearance in In C in fifteen years, making it a truly historic event for audiences around the world.

The concert took place on the night of July 21, 2024, beneath a full moon at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Japan's most treasured cultural landmarks. As the final notes faded, the full moon rose above the temple, creating a breathtaking conclusion to a celebration honoring six decades of In C—a work that has come to symbolize freedom, collaboration, and harmony. Dedicated in gratitude to nature, the spiritual world, and the countless people who have kept the music alive for sixty years, this unforgettable performance stands as one of the most significant milestones in the history of In C.