What composers write music that sounds like Henryk Goreckis Symphony No. 3?
From the Wikipedia article on Gorecki: *** Górecki’s music covers a variety of styles, but tends to be harmonically relatively simple. His first works were in the same avant garde style as that of Pierre Boulez or other serialists, but his later music is more often compared to minimalism, often being labelled as “holy minimalism”. Like Arvo Pärt, with whom he is also compared, his works often reflect his religious beliefs (Górecki is a Catholic). *** You’d probably like Arvo Part’s “Tabula Rasa” if you like Gorecki’s 3rd.
Alas, the quick answer is: nothing sounds like Gorecki’s 3rd. It is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of music written in the last 100 years. You might give a listen to his Miserere, though. It’s also very minimal, but really rewards careful listening. From there, Part and Messiaen are probably good next steps. Arvo Part’s Te Deum is probably his most accessible piece. Also, Maurice Durufle’s Requiem also reminds me of Gorecki a bit.
If what you like about Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3 is the really slow buildup in volume with lots of slow repitition of the same figure, I’d recommend Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. The style is obviously different, but the greater portion of it has that same feeling of time being suspended. It also has a tonal structure that’s more relaxed that the Romantic composers. The breakdown of tonal barriers is taken further by Shoenberg, and then by modern composers like Gorecki. I’d definitely recommend Part. If you are attracted to the spirituality/style of works by Part and Gorecki, (including more the more dissonant works like Gorecki’s String Quartet Already it is Dusk) you may like Giya Kancheli, Osvaldo Golijov and Dmitri
