Totalism can be defined as a continuation of Minimalism (specifically seen alongside Post-Minimalism). Kyle Gann, in his writings on minimalism, called totalism the "having your cake and eating it too" of minimalist music. It utilises the latter's tonality and background complexity, whilst adding complex rhythmic structures and putting emphasis on surface energy. Thus, totalism can appeal to lay audiences whilst retaining the complexities of post-minimalism, and without a need to appear "pretty" or adhere to specific consonant ideals.
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Totalism can be defined as a continuation of Minimalism (specifically seen alongside Post-Minimalism). Kyle Gann, in his writings on minimalism, called totalism the "having your cake and eating it too" of minimalist music. It utilises the latter's tonality and background complexity, whilst adding complex rhythmic structures and putting emphasis on surface energy. Thus, totalism can appeal to lay audiences whilst retaining the complexities of post-minimalism, and without a need to appear "pretty" or adhere to specific consonant ideals. The genre came to light during the 1980s and 1990s.
Structurally, totalism can often be found with unique and complex polyrhythms, two (or more) tempos utilised simultaneously, and borrows theories from Integral Serialism of a compositional aesthetic applied to aspects of composition beyond pitch and melody. On the latter, one specific component found within totalism is the performance of instruments played harmoniously, but written in altering pulses of quarter-notes, dotted quarter-notes, and triplet quarter-notes. This was developed from the theories of Henry Cowell, who suggested this rhythm structure that would naturally be applied to pitch. Whilst also containing mixed consonance and dissonance factors, the sonority of totalist music is generally limited to a minimum.
Rock would become a defining inspiration for younger artists, often employing electric guitars as well as sustained steady beats to further broaden its appeal. Scenes in downtown New York such as No Wave and the festival Bang on a Can pushed many artists into a continuum of rock music. Later rock groups would become influenced by Glenn Branca's dissonance and performance art despite totalism's lack of recognition and the decline of no wave. Similarly to Branca, Rhys Chatham would write pieces for massive guitar symphonies, instructing performers to play with one chord at various rhythmic intervals. Michael Gordon would also emphasize intensity and progression within movements with rock as an influence.
Totalism has influences from various rhythms originating from non-western and indigenous cultures. Hindustani Classical Music and Gamelan are frequent influences for rhythm, tone, melody, and use of scale as well as thematic elements. Lois V Vierk was influenced by the pitch bends of Gagaku for much of her work.
