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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Steve Reich & Philip Glass
Ransom Wilson London Chamber Orchestra, Christopher Warren-Green & Michael Tilson-Thomas Minimalism was originally the word used to describe certain movements in the visual arts and design of the immediate post World War II period. Then, from the 60s, its use was extended to take in new developments in music, most notably in American concert music and specifically that of La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Musical minimalism relies on repetition, insistent rhythm and gradual transformation. Basically tonal in outlook minimalism can be seen as a reaction against European serialism. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Reich - Daniel Variations
Composer Steve Reich has called Daniel Variations "A memorial and a remembrance" of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. He embarked upon the piece at the behest of Pearl's father Judea and the Daniel Pearl Foundation, an organization dedicated to crosscultural understanding through journalism, music and innovative communication. The elder Pearl has said, "Danny was a highly principled person, a gentle soul and a mighty good journalist. He became an icon, and this work by Reich is a tribute to a life that personified our culture, our principles and our dreams." When the piece received its world premiere on October 8, 2006, at London's Barbican Hall (as part of the Barbican's festival Phases, to mark Reich's 70th birthday), the Guardian called it 'A haunting work that circles around alternating ideas of celebration and discord.'
'Daniel Variations' is both moving and unsettling, and, for the most part, understandably dark in tone. Alex Ross of the New Yorker observed that, in Reich's writing, there is 'A new influx of coiled power: fleets of pianos and percussion tap out telegraphic patterns, warning of the next big crash.' But Reich does offer a glimmer of hope to counterbalance the sense of dread, and the piece is ultimately an uplifting one. Over the course of four movements and approximately 30 minutes, Reich juxtaposes words from Pearl's life - including his final words - with phrases taken from the Old Testament's Book Of Daniel. Reich quotes haunting verses in which the prophet Daniel, enslaved in Babylon - the modern-day Iraq - is ordered to interpret the ominous dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar, which suggest a wave of terror to come. In the 2nd and 4th movements, which include lyrical passages written for a string section, Reich evokes the spirit of the modern-day Daniel, who was a violinist as well as a reporter. Pearl was, says Reich, "Someone who stands beautifully and grotesquely at the same time as a symbol of thousands of innocent victims...he was murdered while trying to really give a fair shake to all concerned." “The circumstances that gave rise to Steve Reich’s Daniel Variations – the brutal killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002 – could not be more horrific. Small consolation to say that it has inspired some fine works of art. But this is a very special piece, with Reich trying to make sense of the horror by juxtaposing Pearl’s statements with biblical readings.” Gramophone Magazine “These pieces are as good an example as any of the jogging, jaunty repetition Reich has made his own, and suggest that bold departures from the style are unlikely. The 22-minute Variations for Vibes, Pianos and Strings goes through the wonted motions and modulations with Reichian rigour, but without the gripping, if awful, power of sheer insistency that marks his 55-minute Music for 18 Musicians...The half-hour Daniel Variations, a memorial for the murdered journalist Daniel Pearl, puts tiny slivers of text (Pearl’s own words and some from the biblical book of Daniel) through the repetition mill – but to what purpose?” Sunday Times, 11th May 2008 ** “Critics often lament Reich's shift away from the strict processes of his early minimalist style but all the techniques discovered along the way are still present here: rhythmic goal-orientation, harmonic clusters rich in overtones and upper partials, and a complex but audible polyphonic weave. And all underpinned by those variations, no less. ” Gramophone Magazine, June 2008 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Phases - Steve ReichA Nonesuch Retrospective - celebrating the work and life of composer Steve Reich
Pat Metheny (guitar), Maya Beiser (cello), et al. Steve Reich Ensemble, Kronos Quartet, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Bang on a Can, London Symphony Orchestra, et al. 'Phases' opens with what is arguably Reich's signature work, 'Music For Eighteen Musicians', performed by Reich and his longtime ensemble. However, each piece here, culled from Reich's Nonesuch discography, warrants a significant spot in any overview of his career, from the semi-autobiographical, often deeply moving 'Different Trains', played by Kronos Quartet, to the rhythmically and spiritually adventurous 'You Are (Variations)', written for, and performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. “I never thought I’d look forward to turning 70,” says Steve Reich. “To say I’m honoured is definitely an understatement.” | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Steve Reich - Different Trains / Piano Phase
Andrew Russo & Marc Mellits (pianos) The Duke Quartet "This is an excellent recording and I highly recommend it" BBC Music Magazine (Benchmark recording of Piano Phase) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Reich - Different Trains
Reich: | Different Trains (America - Before the War, Europe - During the War, After the War) for string quartet and electronic tape Triple Quartet for three string quartets Duet (Reich's personal dedication to the late Yehudi Menuhin) |
"The Smith Quartet, which excels in this repertoire, gives a committed and outstanding performance throughout."
The Gramophone | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Jazz - Minimal - Avantgarde
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Thad Wheeler, Timothy Ferchen, Nurit Tilles, Rebecca Armstrong, Steve Reich and Musicians, Jay Clayton, Steve Reich, Bob Becker, Pamela Wood Ambush, Garry Kvistad, James Preiss, Russ Hartenberger London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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The Steve Reich Ensemble, Bradley Lubman | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Brooklyn Philharmonic [members of], Michael Tilson Thomas | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Powerplant - Electric Counterpoint
Bringing together some of the most dynamic young British artists, Powerplant explores hi-octane percussion-led music with an electronic sound and strong visual performance. The collective made its debut in July 2005, with a sell out performance at The Purcell Room, London. Since then Powerplant has performed extensively throughout the UK and was one of the few ensembles to perform at Steve Reich's Barbican birthday celebrations 'Phases', in 2006. As well as Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint, works by the electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk (which translates as 'Powerplant' in English) are also performed on the disc. At the heart of the Powerplant sound is the percussion and live electronics duo of genre trashing Ensemble Bash virtuoso, Joby Burgess and Liverpool based composer and live sound engineer, Matthew Fairclough. Coupled with specially created film, vintage computer imagery and live visuals from Bristol-based visual artist Kathy Hinde, the trio has created an experimental and challenging repertoire fusing seminal percussion works alongside their own work, improvisations and remixes. Powerplant's set of classic electronica from pioneering dance masters Kraftwerk, was arranged in-conjunction with composer, Ben Foster, and features the Elysian Quartet, the only British string quartet of its generation exclusively dedicated to 20th century and contemporary music. From September 2006 until June 2007, Powerplant worked on a 'Item' research grant from the Arts council of England hosted by FACT - Foundation for Arts & Creative Technology - in Liverpool. As a result of this work Powerplant will premiere major new commissions from British minimalist, Graham Fitkin and composer/producer Gabriel Prokofiev to coincide with the release of this disc. This release is a CD Plus, which will incorporate visuals from Powerplant's live shows, and will be supported by a UK tour during November and December. | 
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Gramophone Magazine
