Artist page · 05/07/2026

Philip Glass

BaltimoreBorn in 1937Bandes originales (Films séries jeux…)15 vinyl albums
Philip Glass, born in 1937 in Baltimore, USA, is a composer and pianist recognized for his minimalist and contemporary classical music. His career spans film scores, operas, and ensemble pieces from the late 20th century to today.
15Albums on Vinyles.com
1333Discogs releases
1.3MLast.fm listeners

About

Philip Glass, Pioneering minimalist compositions from Baltimore's 1937-born maestro.

Over 16 vinyl albums blending contemporary classical and film scores with multiple original and audiophile editions.

Philip Glass has developed a distinct style rooted in minimalist repetition and gradual processes, documented across a diverse catalog of vinyl releases including original soundtracks, operatic works, and solo piano pieces. Key collaborations with ensembles like the Kronos Quartet and influences from global traditions mark his evolving oeuvre. His albums such as "Glassworks" and "Einstein On The Beach" have been released in various audiophile and deluxe vinyl editions, preserving the nuances of his intricate compositions.

His discography features 16 vinyl records currently listed, spanning genres from contemporary classical to minimalist film scores.

Discography

Philip Glass — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

The CIVIL warS: A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down. Act V - The Rome SectionNonesuch · 1999
1999
The CIVIL warS: A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down. Act V - The Rome Section
CD, Album
Studio
DraculaNonesuch · 1999
1999
Dracula
CD, Album
Studio
Delta Saxophone Quartet - Minimal TendenciesClarinet Classics · 1998
1998
Delta Saxophone Quartet - Minimal Tendencies
CD, Album
Studio
Symphony No. 2Nonesuch · 1998
1998
Symphony No. 2
CD, Album
Studio
KoyaanisqatsiNonesuch · 1998
1998
Koyaanisqatsi
CD, Album
Studio
Point Music · 1997
1997
"Heroes" Symphony
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
Kundun (Music From The Original Soundtrack)Nonesuch · 1997
1997
Kundun (Music From The Original Soundtrack)
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent (Music From The Original Soundtrack)Nonesuch · 1996
1996
Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent (Music From The Original Soundtrack)
CD, Album
Studio
Music In Twelve PartsNonesuch · 1996
1996
Music In Twelve Parts
CD, Album
Studio
La Belle Et La BêteNonesuch · 1995
1995
La Belle Et La Bête
CD, Album, Box Set
Studio
Kronos Quartet Performs Philip GlassNonesuch · 1995
1995
Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass
CD, Album
Studio
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus*, Robert Shaw - Itaipu / The CanyonSony Classical · 1993
1993
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus*, Robert Shaw - Itaipu / The Canyon
CD, Album
Studio
Allen Ginsberg - Hydrogen JukeboxElektra Nonesuch · 1993
1993
Allen Ginsberg - Hydrogen Jukebox
CD, Album
Studio
Glass Organ Works - Music Of Philip GlassCatalyst · 1993
1993
Glass Organ Works - Music Of Philip Glass
CD, Album
Studio
Violin Concerto / Concerto Grosso No. 5Deutsche Grammophon · 1993
1993
Violin Concerto / Concerto Grosso No. 5
CD, Album
Live
Point Music · 1993
1993
"Low" Symphony (From The Music Of David Bowie & Brian Eno)
CD, Album
Studio
Einstein On The BeachElektra Nonesuch · 1993
1993
Einstein On The Beach
CD, Album
Studio
CandymanTriStar Pictures · 1992
1992
Candyman
Cassette, Album, Promo
Studio
TriviumECM Records · 1992
1992
Trivium
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Music From The ScreensPOINT Music · 1992
1992
Music From The Screens
CD, Album
Studio
PassagesPrivate Music · 1990
1990
Passages
CD, Album
Studio
Solo PianoCBS · 1989
1989
Solo Piano
CD, Album
Studio
The Thin Blue LineNonesuch · 1989
1989
The Thin Blue Line
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
1000 Airplanes On The RoofVenture · 1989
1989
1000 Airplanes On The Roof
CD, Album
Studio
PowaqqatsiElektra Nonesuch · 1988
1988
Powaqqatsi
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
AkhnatenCBS · 1987
1987
Akhnaten
CD, Album, Box Set
Studio
DancePiecesFM · 1987
1987
DancePieces
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Songs From Liquid DaysCBS · 1986
1986
Songs From Liquid Days
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
MishimaNonesuch · 1985
1985
Mishima
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
SatyagrahaCBS Masterworks · 1985
1985
Satyagraha
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
Studio
Koyaanisqatsi (Life Out Of Balance) (Original Soundtrack Album From The Motion Picture)Antilles · 1983
1983
Koyaanisqatsi (Life Out Of Balance) (Original Soundtrack Album From The Motion Picture)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The PhotographerCBS · 1983
1983
The Photographer
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
GlassworksCBS · 1982
1982
Glassworks
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Dance Nos. 1 And 3Tomato · 1980
1980
Dance Nos. 1 And 3
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Einstein On The BeachTomato · 1979
1979
Einstein On The Beach
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
Studio
North StarVirgin · 1977
1977
North Star
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Music In Twelve Parts - Parts 1 & 2Caroline Records · 1976
1976
Music In Twelve Parts - Parts 1 & 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Solo MusicShandar · 1975
1975
Solo Music
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Music In Similar Motion / Music In FifthsChatham Square Productions · 1973
1973
Music In Similar Motion / Music In Fifths
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Music With Changing PartsChatham Square Productions · 1971
1971
Music With Changing Parts
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Philip Glass's career.

01
Opening
Opening
Glassworks · 1982
02
The Poet Acts
·
03
Koyaanisqatsi
Koyaanisqatsi
Koyaanisqatsi · 1998
04
Mad Rush
·
05
String Quartet No. 3, "Mishima": VI. Mishima / Closing
·
06
Facades
Facades
Glassworks · 1982
07
Etude No. 2
·
08
Morning Passages
·

The essentials

The 3 Philip Glass albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1982
LP, Album
Glassworks

A seminal minimalist album issued on CBS in 1982, available in original and multiple pressing editions, showcasing six meticulously crafted contemporary classical tracks.

6 tracksLP Album stereoCBS label original pressingMultiple pressings available
#2 · 1979
LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
Einstein on the beach

Landmark opera blending minimalism and avant-garde, originally released in 1979 with several vinyl editions, including audiophile pressings and box sets.

14 tracksStereo box setTomato label original pressingMultiple vinyl versions
#3 · 1986
Vinyle noir audiophile 180gr, pochette PVC deluxe
Songs From Liquid Days

A 1986 album featuring curated compositions by Glass, issued in a deluxe audiophile 180g black vinyl, reflecting his minimalist approach with vocal collaborations.

Audiophile 180g vinylDeluxe PVC sleeveMinimalist compositions1986 original release

Go further

Artists similar to Philip Glass

Artists who share part of Philip Glass's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

Glassworks
Master release · LP · 1982
Market position i
19,57 €
Min price 9 €Max price 35 €
Average price 19,57 €
Only 8 copies for sale on Discogs
762 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Einstein On The Beach
Master release · LP · 1979
Market position i
37,35 €
Min price 32 €Max price 43 €
Average price 37,35 €
Only 48 copies for sale on Discogs
865 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Dracula
Master release · LP · 1999
Market position i
69,60 €
Min price 70 €Max price 70 €
Average price 69,60 €
Only 3 copies for sale on Discogs
39 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
DraculaLP, Album, Reissue
Orange Mountain Music US · 2016 8002 Original pressing
39 want · 97 have · ratio 0,4
69,60 €
GlassworksLP, Album, Stereo
CBS US · 1982 FM 37265 🔥 Standard edition
762 want · 1 600 have · ratio 0,5
8,70 €
GlassworksLP, Album
CBS Masterworks Brazil · 1982 160.372, 160372 Original pressing
762 want · 1 600 have · ratio 0,5
21,75 €
Einstein On The BeachLP, Album, Stereo
Tomato US · 1979 TOM-4-2901 🔥 Standard edition
865 want · 1 269 have · ratio 0,7
39,90 €
Einstein On The BeachLP, Album, Promo
Tomato US · 1978 Tom-101 Original pressing
865 want · 1 269 have · ratio 0,7
43,49 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Philip Glass

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"I have been deeply influenced by Indian music and the repetitive structures they inspired."
— Philip Glass
01Collaboration

Philip Glass and Kronos Quartet for Dracula

In 1992, Philip Glass worked with the Kronos Quartet to create a new soundtrack for the film "Dracula", blending modern classical styles with cinematic atmosphere.

1992United States
02Tour

Study with Nadia Boulanger in Paris

From 1963 to 1965, Glass studied with Nadia Boulanger at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, learning detailed analysis of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven compositions.

1963-1965Paris
03Opera Premiere

Einstein on the Beach original release

The groundbreaking opera "Einstein on the Beach" was first released in 1979 on vinyl under the Tomato label, presenting a minimalist opera in four acts.

1979United States
04Vinyl Release

Glassworks Brazilian Original LP pressing

The original 1982 CBS Masterworks LP pressing of "Glassworks" was released in Brazil under catalog number 160.372 and is sought after by collectors.

1982Brazil

Records by Philip Glass

See all

FAQ

FAQ: Philip Glass on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What genres does Philip Glass's vinyl catalog mainly cover?

His vinyl releases primarily feature contemporary classical, minimalist music, and film soundtracks.

Which Philip Glass album is considered a minimalist opera landmark on vinyl?

"Einstein on the Beach" is the notable minimalist opera released as a vinyl box set starting in 1979.

Are there audiophile vinyl editions available for Philip Glass albums?

Yes, many albums including "Glassworks" and "Songs From Liquid Days" have audiophile 180g vinyl editions with deluxe packaging.

What is the typical format and pressing quality for Philip Glass vinyl records?

Most vinyl records are pressed as LP albums, often on 180g audiophile-grade vinyl, some with deluxe PVC or gatefold sleeves.

Where can I find original pressings of Philip Glass records in France?

French collectors can locate original and reissue vinyl from labels like Music On Vinyl and Disco Bertus, both active in France.

How influential is Philip Glass in minimalist music as represented by his vinyl releases?

Philip Glass's vinyl catalog reflects his status as a pioneering minimalist composer with significant classical and contemporary influence.

Can I buy recent reissues or special editions of Philip Glass albums on vinyl?

Yes, modern reissues and audiophile editions are available for many titles, offering higher quality pressings and deluxe packaging.

What are some top tracks by Philip Glass widely played on streaming platforms?

Popular pieces include "Opening", "Koyaanisqatsi", "The Poet Acts", and "Mad Rush", which are celebrated compositions in his catalog.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026