Tag Archives: Steve Reich

Signal to perform Steve Reich’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Double Sextet

Posted on May 13, 2009 | Leave a comment
Signal at (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Signal performing Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians at NYC's (Le) Poisson Rouge.

The fast-rising Signal Ensemble will celebrate composer Steve Reich‘s Pulitzer Prize win next month with a performance of Double Sextet, the work for which he won the prestigious award. The event should be especially rewarding because Reich himself will be in attendance!

Signal, founded by conductor Brad Lubman and cellist Lauren Radnofsky, is a tight-sounding all-star band, featuring a large roster of some of the finest players around, including all the members of So Percussion along with personnel from Alarm Will Sound, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Gutbucket. Since forming last spring, Signal has quickly become a leading interpreter of contemporary composed music by the likes of Reich, Philip Glass, Luciano Berio and others.

Signal will perform Double Sextet at 6:30 p.m. on June 22. At (Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan), Manhattan. Tickets $25 in advance.

And don’t forget to catch Signal performing Glass’ Symphony No. 3 at 7 p.m. this Sunday (May 17), also at LPR. Tickets $20.

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In C turns 45 — and the party’s tonight!

Posted on April 24, 2009 | Leave a comment
Terry Riley

Terry Riley

In C changed musical history. Composer Terry Riley so influenced The Who’s Pete Townsend so deeply that he titled his highly experimental rock classic Baba O’Riley came from a mashup of the names of Riley and Indian mystic Meher Baba.

Riley’s heavily-improvised work had a profound impact not just on Townsend, but on a generation of musicians including John Adams, Morton Subotnick, Philip Glass and Steve Reich.

At 8 tonight, Riley celebrates the work’s 45th anniversary at Carnegie Hall in a performance the brings together the original performers and a host of guests — including Kronos Quartet, rocker Dan Zanes, and One Ring Zero co-conspirator Michael Hearst. Some tickets are still available. Click here for more information.

Riley, who is 73 years old, remains quite active performing and composing. But tonight’s show will be a rare opportunity to hear In C performed by the musicians who were there at the beginning along with many whose lives were changed by the piece.

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Radio Reich is now online

Posted on April 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

Check out these new Steve Reich radio interviews, conducted after his Pulitzer Prize win. This was posted today on Steve’s MySpace blog:

Reich on WNYC and NPR

Hi everybody,

Following the announcement of Steve’s 2009 Pulitzer Prize win Monday, Steve did three live radio interviews including a full-length recording of Double Sextet that you may want to check out. He shares his thoughts on Bartok, how Double Sextet almost didn’t happen, and what he thinks of all the bands and composers out there who have been influenced by “the Steve Reich sound.”

All best,
Dan

NPR “All Things Considered”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103295578

WNYC “Soundcheck”
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/episodes/2009/04/21/segments/129470

NPR “Performance Today”
http://performancetoday.publicradio.org/

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About time: Steve Reich wins 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music

Posted on April 20, 2009 | Leave a comment
Steve Reich

Steve Reich

I’m a few hours late to the party, I know, but I must add my voice to the chorus cheering for Steve Reich‘s Pulitzer Prize win, announced this afternoon. He won for Double Sextet, which had its world premiere by the eighth blackbird ensemble on March 26, 2008 in Richmond, Va. I heard the piece’s New York City premiere in Carnegie Hall‘s Zankel Hall on April 17, 2008.

The other finalists were Don Byron (7 Etudes for Solo Piano) and Harold Meltzer (Brion).

Steve is one of the most inventive composers of our time. And he’s a modest, personable man, to boot. I remember the first time I was honored to spend time with him — at a Bang on a Can benefit dinner a few years back. I was lucky enough to be seated at his table, and spent some time trying to come up with just the right conversational approach. He was barraged all evening by people who obviously wanted a piece of him, wanted recognition, wanted to bask in his greatness. When I got a chance to speak to him, I opened by asking about his son, Ezra, who’s also a fantastic musician I truly admired. That brought a smile to Steve’s face the likes of which I hadn’t seen all evening, and opened the door to a good conversation.

Congratulations to Steve for the long-overdue recognition from the Pulitzer jury. I guess it just goes to prove that nice guys don’t always finish last!

Go here to see the official Pulitzer Prize list of winners and finalists for 2009.

Or check out the NewMusicBox online magazine for Frank J. Oteri’s piece on Steve’s win and links to rehearsal and recording videos.

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