Philip Glass is an influential composer and pianist. His operas, symphonies, and chamber music are highly regarded. Three of his film scores were nominated for the Oscars.
While establishing his career, Glass supported himself by working as a plumber*. Once during a service visit in New York City in the 1970s, he came across Robert Hughes, an art critic for the Times magazine. Hughes recognized Glass and stared at him in shock and disbelief.
Here’s how Glass recounted the exchange:
‘But you’re Philip Glass! What are you doing here?’
It was obvious that I was installing his dishwasher and I told him I would soon be finished.
‘But you are an artist,’ he protested.
I explained that I was an artist but that I was sometimes a plumber as well and that he should go away and let me finish.
Situations are never ideal. Sometimes we have to take an unglamorous approach to make life work. That’s not a problem at all.
Source: When less means more
*He also worked as a taxi driver. “If you’re in New York City, you might hail a cab. There’s a good chance that the driver would be an actor or a performer. A lot of day jobs around New York are picked up by people in the arts.” he said in an interview.
I have been looping his Glassworks (composed in 1981) all week. Another classical guitar cover of the same piece is just as beautiful.