Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Steve Reich & Musicians is a contemporary classical music ensemble founded by American composer Steve Reich in 1966. The group has been at the forefront of the minimalist music movement, which emphasizes the use of repetitive patterns and simple harmonic structures. Steve Reich was born on October 3, 1936, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He studied music at Cornell University and the Juilliard School, where he was influenced by the works of composers such as Igor Stravinsky and John Cage. Reich's early compositions were influenced by serialism, a technique that uses a predetermined sequence of musical elements. However, he soon began to experiment with repetitive patterns and phasing, a technique in which two or more identical musical phrases are played at slightly different speeds, creating a shifting, hypnotic effect. In 1966, Reich founded Steve Reich & Musicians, which initially consisted of four musicians: Reich on percussion, Art Murphy on saxophone, Jon Gibson on flute, and Richard Landry on clarinet. The group's early performances were held in art galleries and loft spaces in New York City. One of the group's early works, "Drumming," was premiered in 1971 and is considered a masterpiece of minimalist music. The piece features a complex interlocking rhythm played on a variety of percussion instruments, including marimbas, bongos, and glockenspiels. In the 1970s, Reich continued to explore the possibilities of phasing and repetition in works such as "Music for 18 Musicians" and "Tehillim." These works feature intricate patterns played by a large ensemble of musicians, creating a mesmerizing, trance-like effect. In addition to his work with Steve Reich & Musicians, Reich has also collaborated with a variety of other artists, including choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and filmmaker Beryl Korot. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to contemporary classical music, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2009. Steve Reich & Musicians continues to perform and record new works, and the group's influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers. Their innovative use of repetition and phasing has helped to redefine the boundaries of classical music and has inspired generations of musicians and listeners alike.

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