Holy Minimalism

[Sergius]

Holy Minimalism, also called Spiritual, Sacred or Mystic Minimalism, is a genre of modern composition music which is rooted in 'traditional' Minimalist composition, but instead of following the established pattern of 'cold' disharmonicism, returns to pre-modern use of harmony and melody. Holy Minimalism often takes use of elements of church music, in most cases that of Eastern Orthodox choral traditions, but in a minimalist scope.

Examples (yes, listening to composition music on YouTube is dumb, but here we go):
Arvo Pärt, Estonia, b. 1935

+ YouTube Video

Spiegel im Spiegel

+ YouTube Video

Excerpt from Te Deum

+ YouTube Video

Magnificat

+ YouTube Video

Fratres I

John Tavener, England, b. 1944

+ YouTube Video

As One Who Has Slept

+ YouTube Video

Song for Athene

Henryk Górecki, Poland, b. 1933

+ YouTube Video

Symphony No. 3, op. 36


Sofia Gubaidulina, Russia, b. 1931

+ YouTube Video

Viola concerto pt. I

+ YouTube Video

Viola concerto pt. II

Other composers in this style include: Erkki-Sven Tüür, Giya Kancheli, Alan Hovhaness, Pēteris Vasks, Hans Otte, and others.

[lunulae]

excellent post. i would like to add vladimír godár to the list. especially his collaboration with violinist iva bittova, mater.

[svin]

excellent post.

I concur. On the more pop music side, there is Max Richter. If you are not into classical music, better first listen to him and then to Arvo Part.