The 88-year-old composer, who talks as fast as the interlocking phrases of his music, looks back on crucial moments in a career that moved minimalism into the mainstream.

For many years now, I have gradually and quietly become what you may call “spiritually independent.” I’m now in my early seventies, and my personal faith practice is now beyond “religion.” To put it ...

The 88-year-old composer, who talks as fast as the interlocking phrases of his music, looks back on crucial moments in a career that moved minimalism into the mainstream.

Dozens of works will be on view for the next two months at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s magnificent “Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature” exhibit.