One of the most influential composers of the 20th century, Terry Riley, is honored with a comprehensive new box set, Terry Riley – The Columbia Recordings, due August 22, 2025, from Sony Classical. Available for preorder now, this four-disc collection compiles Riley’s groundbreaking work for Columbia Masterworks between 1968 and 1980—a pivotal era that reshaped contemporary music.
The set includes Riley’s seminal albums In C (1968), A Rainbow in Curved Air (1969), Church of Anthrax (1971, with Velvet Underground’s John Cale), and Shri Camel (1980). These recordings mark a period when Columbia boldly embraced experimental American music, capturing Riley’s innovative spirit and his pioneering role in minimalist composition.
Beyond the music, the box features a 50-page booklet packed with rare archival photos from Columbia’s famed 30th Street Studios and essays by notable figures, including Grammy-nominated producer Tom Laskey, original producer David Behrman, and Riley’s longtime manager Thomas M. Welsh. These insights offer a deeper understanding of Riley’s creative process and lasting influence.
Riley, who turned 90 this past June, is widely regarded as the father of minimalism. His 1968 In C recording is credited with launching the minimalist movement, influencing contemporaries such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and La Monte Young. Drawing on jazz, Indian classical music, improvisation, and early electronic techniques, Riley forged a musical language that was both avant-garde and accessible—an unprecedented feat that expanded the possibilities of 20th-century sound.
This box set not only celebrates those landmark recordings but also highlights Riley’s enduring musical journey, which continues to inspire listeners and musicians worldwide.