Reich: Drumming

'Drumming' is a classic of hope and achievement. Coming after a few years – the late sixties – when so many old barriers had fallen, it rejoices in a world where modern and ancient, western and non-western are no longer separate categories

“My visit to Africa in 1970 confirmed my intuition that acoustic instruments and voices could be used to produce music that was genuinely richer in sound than that produced by electronic instruments, as well as confirming my natural inclination towards percussion.” STEVE REICH

Exploring his "gradual process" in the early 70's, Reich gives with Drumming one of his most fascinating works. While his composition process is already full of microscopic "abnormal" details which give much pleasure to the listener, it keeps also its allure of a radical minimalistic challenge. Drumming is constructed around one single basic rhythmic-melodic pattern, for an imposing ensemble of percussion (bongos, marimbas, glockenspiel) joined by some female voices, a piccolo flute or a whistling part. The breathtaking feeling of simplicity/complexity in this work is transmitted with an amazing skill by the interpreters. Ictus made this recording with the excellent Synergy Vocals ensemble, concluding a long series of triumphant live performances in Europe and United States: Drumming became indeed a dance spectacle initiated by Rosas, the troup of Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker, who signed the choreography.

'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.