Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians

by Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble

Overview

Among the numerous minimalist pieces that appeared in the mid-1970s, Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians is universally regarded as an essential work, and the increasing number of performances over the years have guaranteed its popularity. Premiered in 1976 by Reich and his hand-picked ensemble, the piece demanded extraordinary precision and stamina of its players, and it was long thought that only Reich's group had the wherewithal to play its steady pulses, sustained tones, and intricate patterns. Yet in time, several other ensembles have not only mastered the work's challenges but also made first-rate recordings that closely match Reich's original ECM New Series recording in accuracy and sound quality. This Innova release by the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble was first issued in 2007 as a multichannel hybrid SACD, and this 2013 CD version retains much of the original's richness of tone and spacious ambience. The excellence of this performance has been noted by Reich, and it has been critically praised for its beauty and virtuosity, all the more remarkable in that this is a university level ensemble that matches any professional group. ~ Blair Sanderson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/27/2013
Label:	Innova
UPC:	0726708686529
Rank:	8135

Tracks

1. Music for 18 Musicians~Pulses
2. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 1
3. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 2
4. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 3A
5. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 3B
6. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 4
7. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 5
8. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 6
9. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 7
10. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 8
11. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 9
12. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 10
13. Music for 18 Musicians~Section 11
14. Music for 18 Musicians~Pulses

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Steve Reich   Primary Artist
Bill Ryan   Conductor

Technical Credits

Silas Brown   Editing,Engineer,Producer,Mastering,Recording Editor,Session Producer,Mixing
Steve Reich   Composer
Chester Gwazda   Assistant Engineer
Chris Campbell   Operation
Philip Blackburn   Label Direction
Bill Ryan   Mixing,Editing,Mastering,Recording Editor,Executive Producer
Chester Gwadza   Assistant Engineer
Graemme Brown   Digital Transfers,Compilation Editing