1lb of Naked Nutrition said:
Philip Glass's Violin Concierto.
This is awesome.
Well, it's a bottomless topic this one, but judging from the stuff you quoted, I'd recommend to pick anything they have by Arvo Pärt, who stands for a blend of modern-day minimalism and the austere, transcendental qualities of ancient music. He works a lot around silences and a strict refusal of any orchestral climax. I can't even begin to describe how far his music drives my mind, though I know he's boring to death for some people - but do give him a try.
Seeing as you seem to enjoy the Kronos Quartett, I'd recommend their interpretation of the 4th String Quartett by Peteris Vásks. Soothing, very harmonic stuff with some melodic gems built in. It's pretty much a crescendo/decrsecendo affair from A to Z. I tend to judge Vásks' music through Pärt, as one bears similarities to the other, though Vásks doesn't distantiate himself that much from the schools of his time - so be cautious if you don't like Pärt
Erkki-Sven Tüür might be something to look into. His music combines the unobtrusive mysticism of the early romantics with his own take on dissonant turmoil and patient builds. There's no denying the influence 70's progressive rock had on his work. Actually he started playing in an experimental rock band himself, I remember. His "Architectonics" are a marvellous collection of osmoses and contrasts within chosen ranges of instruments but if you'd like something darker and more sacred I'd recommend his "Stabat Mater" or the "Crystallisatio" CD
And if you're into baroque and epic polyphonies, you can't overlook Purcell's "King Arthur", arguably the best opera ever, though arguably not an opera at all because of the above-average proportion of music-only sections and the dancing involved.
Let us know what you picked in the end!
