Philip Glass was born on this day, January 31, in 1937. He has written numerous operas and musical theatre works, twelve symphonies, eleven concertos, eight string quartets and various other chamber music, and film scores. Three of his film scores have been nominated for Academy Awards.

Glass was photographed by Karsh in 1990 for the book project American Legends. Karsh notes of his subject: “In his cluttered room he produces avant-garde compositions – beyond the parameters of conventional music – challenging us to open our minds and relinquish the comfort of familiar melodies.”