Reich Music for Mallet Instruments
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Steve Reich
Label: Hungaroton
Magazine Review Date: 6/1991
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 53
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: HCD31358

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ |
Steve Reich, Composer
Amadinda Percussion Group Steve Reich, Composer |
Music for Pieces of Wood |
Steve Reich, Composer
Amadinda Percussion Group Steve Reich, Composer |
Sextet |
Steve Reich, Composer
Amadinda Percussion Group Steve Reich, Composer |
Composer or Director: Steve Reich
Label: Nonesuch
Magazine Review Date: 6/1991
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Catalogue Number: 7559-79220-4

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ |
Steve Reich, Composer
(Steve) Reich and Musicians Steve Reich, Composer |
(The) Four Sections |
Steve Reich, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor Steve Reich, Composer |
Composer or Director: Steve Reich
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Nonesuch
Magazine Review Date: 6/1991
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 43
Catalogue Number: 7559-79220-2

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ |
Steve Reich, Composer
(Steve) Reich and Musicians Steve Reich, Composer |
(The) Four Sections |
Steve Reich, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor Steve Reich, Composer |
Author: Michael Stewart
I must admit I enjoyed this piece more than I thought I would. Whilst the ideas behind Reich's music have certainly fascinated me, I wouldn't really class myself as an admirer, but here I warmed to a greater degree of variety (albeit fairly minimal) than one finds in his works such as Six Pianos or Four Organs. The work, as the title suggests, consists of four movements each spotlighting a particular section of the orchestra: first strings (with wind and brass adding long notes), second percussion, third winds and brass (with strings) and finally full orchestra. The first section, ''Strings'' has a haunting, pastoral quality about it, redolent at times of the open-air feeling found in Copland. The second section begins abruptly with two vibraphones antiphonally placed, whose music gradually interlocks into a melodic patter while pianos and drums add syncopated chordal interjections. With the third section (winds and brass) the pace quickens, as Reich begins to tighten the tension and pave the way for the final onslaught of the full orchestra, which knits together all the melodic material derived from the various interlockings of instruments. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but makes enjoyable listening and would be an ideal introduction for the first-time Reich explorer.
The recording of
I'm afraid I can't say the same of the new Hungaroton issue by the Amadinda percussion group. Personally I find the sound balance crude to say the least; in
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