Influential American composer Steve Reich turns 80
Steve Reich Photo: Steve Reich
This is the story, so far, of a composer who tipped over the table of traditional Western music. He un-learned all accepted wisdom and started again, looking to other cultures for a new performance practice and finding rhythm and melody in the most essential human communication.
Like all greats he learned to steal just what he needed to push forward his artistic development, while establishing his music as among the most recognisable of its age. In the early 1960’s he was one of a small band of American composers who wiped the slate clean. Their answer? Simplicity itself….
Matthew Crawford reviewed Steve Reich's career, marking his 70th birthday.
Related audio:
Steve Reich's Three Movements played by the NZSO
Music for Eighteen Musicians
