Composer

:

Steve Reich

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

65:44

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Drumming is a minimalist composition by American composer Steve Reich, composed in 1970-1971. It premiered on December 2, 1971, at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The piece is scored for four pairs of tuned bongo drums, three marimbas, three glockenspiels, and one female voice. The composition is divided into four movements, each with its own distinct rhythmic pattern. The first movement begins with a single drummer playing a repeated pattern on the bongos. Gradually, the other drummers join in, layering their own patterns on top of the first. The marimbas and glockenspiels enter later, adding to the complex polyrhythmic texture. The movement builds to a climax before gradually fading away. The second movement features the female voice, singing a series of syllables that gradually shift in pitch and rhythm. The percussionists play a steady, pulsing rhythm in the background, creating a hypnotic effect. The third movement is the longest and most complex, featuring intricate interlocking rhythms between the percussion instruments. The marimbas and glockenspiels play fast, repeating patterns while the bongos provide a steady beat. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before abruptly stopping. The final movement is a reprise of the first, with the drummers gradually dropping out until only one is left playing the original pattern. The piece ends with a single drumbeat. Drumming is characterized by its use of repetitive patterns and gradual changes in rhythm and texture. The piece is often cited as a landmark work in the development of minimalism, a style of music that emphasizes simplicity and repetition. Reich's use of interlocking rhythms and gradual shifts in texture have influenced countless composers in the years since Drumming's premiere.

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