Composer

:

Steve Reich

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Performance Art

Compose Date

:

1972

Average_duration

:

4:12

Clapping Music is a minimalist composition by American composer Steve Reich. It was composed in 1972 and premiered on May 5, 1972, at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London. The piece is scored for two performers who clap their hands in a rhythmic pattern that gradually shifts out of phase with each other. The composition consists of a single movement that lasts approximately five minutes. The performers begin by clapping a simple pattern of three beats followed by a rest. One performer continues to clap this pattern while the other shifts the pattern by one beat, so that they are clapping two beats followed by a rest. This process continues until the two performers are clapping completely different patterns, at which point they gradually shift back to the original pattern. The piece is characterized by its use of phasing, a technique in which two or more performers play the same pattern at slightly different tempos, causing the patterns to gradually shift out of sync with each other. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation as the patterns move in and out of alignment. Clapping Music is also notable for its use of minimal instrumentation, with the entire piece consisting of only two performers clapping their hands. This simplicity allows the listener to focus on the rhythmic patterns and the subtle changes that occur as the piece progresses. Overall, Clapping Music is a prime example of Steve Reich's minimalist style, characterized by its use of repetition, gradual transformation, and focus on rhythm and texture. It remains a popular and influential work in the minimalist canon, and is often used as an introduction to Reich's music for new listeners.

More....