How Steve Reich Brings Repetitive Music Alive

In this episode of 'Listening in', I analyse Steve Reich's masterpiece - 'Music for 18 Musicians'. I look at the harmonic language that the piece uses, the construction of the work as a whole as well as the some of the melodic lines that make up the piece. But ultimately, I consider how, despite the precise nature of its construction, 'Music for 18 Musicians' is a music of humanity.
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FURTHER WATCHING
Steve Reich - rhythm and minimalism: • Steve Reich - rhythm a...
Steve Reich reflects on his most significant works: • Steve Reich reflects o...
Steve Reich: influences, techniques and politics [HD] IntoThe Music, ABC Radio National: • Steve Reich: influence...
FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
Steve Reich's ‘Music For 18 Musicians’ as a Soundscape Composition: pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a4db...
MUSIC
Recordings of 'Music for 18 Musicians':
Ensemble Signal [used in the video]: open.spotify.com/album/3lNs2U...
EMI version - Steve Reich Ensemble [first recording]: open.spotify.com/album/2zUpKJ...
Nonesuch version [Reich playing with new musicians]: open.spotify.com/album/1w9O7m...
#stevereich #musicfor18musicians

[@davidschwartz89]

I studied the piece closely (wrote a thesis on a part of it) and have to say: This is a really really well done overwiev on this work. Great job!!

[@ListeningIn]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that, David.

[@georgedotnet]

David -- would it be possible to read your thesis somewhere?

[@omeedmoini1827]

Following up on this, I would love to read this thesis! @@georgedotnet

[@no3396]

We want to read that thesis

[@SaenSaen1]

If anyone watching this or reading these comments hasn't listened to this piece in it's entirety, do yourself one the greatest musical favors you can for yourself and go listen to it. Find a comfortable place to rest your body, turn down the lights, and just get lost in the piece. It's pure genius. Thanks for your hard work Listening In. This channel is amazing.

[@ListeningIn]

Excellent advice. I do exactly this a couple of times a year. It's like meditation. Thank you for watching - I'm really glad you're enjoying my videos.

[@gabrielagoni8131]

Thank you for this video!! Music for 18 Musicians is one of my favorite pieces. I remember the first time listened to it I was on a plane at night (I've never flight before that time so I've never had the chance to watch a city from above), and I contemplate how the little lights moved and went on and off, and I felt this organism conformed by infinite small parts working in coordination, resembled the music perfectly. It was one of the most beautiful experiences ever.

[@geotangententanglement8986]

Thanks for that nice ‘audio-visual’ image.

[@seleniticdawn]

Looking forward to seeing your channel grow. Your content is so well thought out, insightful and well presented.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Sean. I’m looking forward to it too! I’m really glad you’re enjoying my videos.

[@blakescanlen9156]

seconded!!

[@russellromine1810]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jacobyalfredo5740]

instaBlaster.

[@HectorRodriguez-music]

This masterpiece changed my perspective of music drastically. I’ve been hearing this piece since 2016 and it never loses its magic. I literally can’t stop hearing it, it’s a drug! 😅 Very well analysis!!! 👏👏👏

[@ukdavepianoman]

It's my drug too !

[@OrisStories]

I want to claim the spot of your biggest fan before your channel blows up... I love your work, keep it up, you're making this music student incredibly happy! :)

[@ListeningIn]

Well it's lovely to meet my biggest fan! I'm so glad you're enjoying my channel - it's made my day!

[@ukdavepianoman]

A really superb summary of this work. As you say the construction is highly mathematical but the work radiates emotion, depth. I find it to be like a journey where you return to where you started...or a birth to death and rebirth....or....

[@MattLeGroulx]

Thanks to David Bruce for pointing me here, keep the videos coming!

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks Matt (+ also thanks to David!)

[@twtobin941]

I am not classically schooled in music, but I find this video simply and perfectly describes Reich's genius in terms anyone can understand and appreciate. Music For 18 Musicians has always been one of my favourite pieces of music. Now I know even more deeply why that is. Thanks.

[@antoniopola542]

A composer who completely changed my way of listening to and conceive music

[@pattyluss]

Wow, great vid, came here on David Bruce's recommendation. Music for 18 Musicians has been a profoundly inspirational piece for me, didn't realize most of how it was written before this though, thank you!

[@ListeningIn]

It's an astonishing piece. And it continues to effect me every time I listen. I'm really glad David sent you to my channel!

[@grrggrrg4805]

Holy crap what a great video. Love Reich.

[@nathancarter6837]

I wish I could love react this video, because this was honestly so fantastic! I'm a big fan of Steve Reich (and this piece in particular), so it was really fascinating to see the whole piece broken down and analysed. Keep up the good work :)

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Nathan - that's made my day! I'm really pleased you enjoyed the video. Lots more to come...

[@Gongchime]

My favorite article on this topic was titled "When Less Stopped Being More."

[@alaspooryorick9946]

My favourite piece. I adore it above all others. Wonderful

[@Michail_Chatziasemidis]

This synoptic analysis changed the way I viewed Minimalistic music. Thank you!

[@Cystlib]

Once I saw Steve Reich perform this at a festival, which was really nice. I went on to see Franz Ferdinand and Noisia later that day. That was quite a shift lol

[@johncrwarner]

I am someone who discovered "modern classical music" through hearing Pierrot Luniare by Schönberg and I can "sing" some of the songs too! I also enjoy Berio, Harrison Birtwhistle and our local university when I was growing up had a Contemporary Music Festival every year so I heard a lot of music. I also love, it was a later love, minimalism, playing over and over again a recording of "It's Gonna Rain" by Reich, plus the operas of Glass and John Adams. Reich is interested in rhythm and Schönberg was interested in Harmony Both interesting but different.

[@ruichenliu7207]

Only 8k views after one and a half year? This doesn't match the quality of this video at all!! I will definitely share your channel with my friends! Music for 18 Musicians is one of my favorite piece, I love how the piece grow from simple ideas, and the logic that brings them a one-hourish piece. It is truly the combination of humanity and logic. And... it has been the background music for me to study calculus (it really does help my math lollllll

[@MrThesamster]

you need more subscribers

[@HarmoniChris]

Splendid analysis, Barnaby. Thanks to introducing me to this beautiful work.

[@ListeningIn]

It's my pleasure! It's such an addictive work.

[@andrewnorris2]

I am running out of superlatives to describe this channel. Another great presentation.

[@bookstuart]

Hi Barnaby. I’m working on composing music for one of my videos and gamelan first came to mind and then Steve Reich’s music. On searching for his music I found your channel and this well analysed video of the 18 musicians. I will now do some homework and programming and see what I can create. Stay safe regards Brian.

[@cosmo7437]

you honestly need more subscribers. you help describe what ive always wanted to be able to express yet never knew how

[@ListeningIn]

That is really kind. I’m so glad the videos are providing that for you - thank you for watching.

[@MichaelSmith-zw5fu]

This was a beautiful video on a beautiful piece of music. Thank you.

[@pedrohorta6266]

Section V is the litmus test for how I judge every recording of Mf18M over the years... The original ECM version still swings the hardest. So many subsequent versions just aren't as "locked in". They're often rushed or the mix is lopsided. Great video👍

[@murimk]

Great stuff! Amongst the best on KZbin these days!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you!

[@AyidShafiee]

Loving your closing remarks on this video.

[@JonCarlo22]

Not sure how I came upon this video and your channel... But so grateful that I did. Mind blown. Thanks for gifting us with this amazing body of work.

[@musicnerd9100]

Every time I listen to this masterpiece, I find it to be quite captivating. This video has made me aware that instead of just enjoying it, I need to learn from every word Steve Reich speaks.

[@travisemerick1]

Well done! I totally relate to what you said about this music speaking to you. Love this music, awesome video!

[@martinhsl68hw]

Thank you! It is also a piece of music I have listened to well over a thousand times and it never pales. As one youtube comment says 'Somewhere in this music lies a map for a better way of living, being'.

[@edmundauger8592]

Great video! One of the masterpieces of the 20th century for sure. I've listened to this piece from multiple recordings probably 100 times, and been fortunate to hear it live on two occasions, once under Steve Reich's direction. I have yet to buy the score though, so it was fun to see some of the notation presented in your video. I love that you broke down the more calculated aspects in the piece but also brought to the forefront the emotional content and higher aesthetic that Reich's work communicates. Excellent work- I've subbed and look forward to more from your channel!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Edmund - I’m really pleased you enjoyed my analysis. I’m exactly the same as you - I’ve listened to the piece so many times. It was actually incredibly difficult to decide which recording to use. They are all so good in their own individual ways. It must have been amazing to hear it live with Steve Reich playing (I don’t think he does it anymore?). Thanks for subscribing and I hope you like the videos I have planned!

[@troutmask6800]

This is the main masterpiece from music minimalism that will stand the test of time.

[@JoeInkpenMusic]

This was wonderful - and definitely prompted me for a long overdue relisten! Just found your videos and really enjoying them, great work

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying my videos. Also glad that I've prompted you to re-listen to MF18M!

[@petsounds3612]

Thank you for your insightful commentary and engaging content!

[@pongtrometer]

His rhythm is a great factor that graces the harmonics, with majestic timings.

[@TheFir196]

One of my fav videos from you because it's hard to find an analysis video about Steve Reich's music. It would be awesome if you do a video on Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises

[@jordanbrown4779]

I am not a musician, and much of this goes over my head; however, you do an excellent job explaining the music. I appreciate it more and more.

[@dazeofheaven]

Great Video! I recently been more curious of what he's doing with the harmony of the piece, especially in the context of that intriguing interview clip at the start of your video... It makes sense that he's stretching out the Dominant feeling for a return to home, but it feels like there is some mathmatical logic to his harmony choices as well, I'd like to learn more about...

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I agree - there must be some logic to his harmonic rhythm (I'm thinking of pieces like 'Four Organs'). I will look into this - thank you for pointing it out!

[@electron7373]

Superb piece. I love how it ebbs and flows but maintains that hypnotic rhythm.

[@tomasescovar2631]

Love your videos man I appreciate all the effort it takes into making these videos

[@HumanMotives]

Keep returning to this. Beautiful ❤

[@CharlieKnolesPlus]

I’m absolutely hooked on your amazing videos. The editing, analysis, visual style are all on point. Reich is one of my all time favorites, and now you’ve opened my eyes to the genius of Jacob Collier. I’m in your debt. I’m excited to also hear your original compositions. Keep up the great work. This is going to be huge.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Charlie! This has made my day! I'm really enjoying doing them, so it's been amazing to have such lovely comments. I also hope you enjoy my compositions!

[@krjames203]

What a great appreciation of this exuberant piece. Beautiful use of graphics to convey musical structure.

[@dashdandelion3681]

wooow FABULOUS WORK, thank you so much for this breakdown.

[@casualdecay6775]

Really appreciated this video! Great work.

[@plootyluvsturtle9843]

just stumbled apon reich a few days ago and he’s instantly become one of my favorites

[@facultad-hd9qk]

GREAT video and explanation

[@pmishraofficial]

I'm so grateful for stumbling upon this video while researching the sound design of the game Mini Metro. How the universe connects!

[@jakeritmiller]

gosh this video is leagues ahead. Looking forward to seeing your channel.

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks Jacob! Hope you like what you see.

[@kaleidoscopicboo]

WOW !! This video totally justified the beauty of the piece 😻✨

[@jorgestramusic]

Awesome analysis thank you.

[@Chatetris]

The hidden source that people tend to forget is Wittgenstein. You can feel Wittgenstein's philosophy throughout Reich's work and the quote of "...the different sections is thus best understood in terms of resemblances between members of a family." Which is worded very much in the vain of later-Wittgenstein's idea of language in the philosophical investigations of the concept of "family resemble". Had Reich not taken music as his career he would have been a great academic philosopher in his own right but I think his decision to choose music over philosophy has made the world a far better place.

[@dumafuji]

Very enjoyable! I learned a lot and I’ve been listening to Reich for 40 years.

[@finnmacanna]

Thanks for this video man. Really great. Keep up the good work :)

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks, will do!

[@PatrickORourke-]

Fantastic, thank you.

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure!

[@banfield1368]

Be prepared for your channel to blow up

[@ListeningIn]

That would be amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@aasherwright4130]

fantastic! thank you!

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure!

[@joshsweetnam]

amazing!

[@Zuhs]

thank you for this. This piece is one of my absolute favourites (Eight lines being my favourite Reich piece!)

[@INBANDOITRUST]

Beautiful video

[@pianoatthirty]

your videos are outstanding. wow

[@juankscos]

Your channel is awesome! 👏🏽

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Juan!

[@AroCaceresdrums]

Love this channel

[@thomasbrown3325]

The form might be more accurately described as palindromic rather than circular. But nitpicking aside--very nice lecture. I enjoyed it immensely.

[@julianbassk]

Fantastic!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you!

[@miketacos9034]

It’s a story of life. It grows little by little, and sometimes repeats, and ecosystems and equilibriums re-emerge even after being wiped and starting from a different point.

[@vjcasagrande]

Awesome video! ❤️

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks Júnior!

[@mememartinez8851]

Beautiful.

[@maxandersonbeats]

Such a good video and account

[@AdamSpiers]

Thank you so much for this! This is one of my favourite pieces of all time, and this video is beautifully put together, with gorgeous editing and crystal clear explanations which make me fall in love with it all over again. Can I ask what software you used to construct it? I've also recently started making music theory videos for KZbin ...

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! It's definitely one of my favourite pieces as well. I use FCPX for the video plus Sibelius for any bits of notation (although for MF18M, I had the full score). The only thing with FCPX is that it takes a lot of fiddling to get it the way I want! I'll take a look at your channel - thank you for watching!

[@AdamSpiers]

@@ListeningIn I guess a lot of fiddling is the curse of every video editor out there! And I certainly didn't make life any easier by choosing to do everything with Open Source software ... Anyway you might dig this (tiny but hopefully growing) playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLfRwjd606WZnl3ME8bboB_Zq5tIi3F4hh

[@ListeningIn]

I watched the 'Negative harmony' video - it was fantastic! Really enjoyed it, and a great idea. Must have taken ages to make the software!

[@AdamSpiers]

Thanks! Yes it was a lot of work! Still ongoing - sign up to the mailing list at negativeharmony.app if you want to stay up to date.

[@escapismbeats]

Continues evolution of a single idea… well said

[@Dismoeyy]

I cant believe Ive found this gem. Thank you!

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@MK-me4vf]

Nice channel Love it keep upp.

[@ListeningIn]

Thanks, will do!

[@TECHNOBIOTIC]

It is amazing

[@PugCuber]

In the words of the great Adam Neely repetition legitimizes but seriously, I love this video. you did such a great job

[@dr.feelicks2051]

So Reich sauce is some o that Tangerine Dream gravy I dig so much✌️

[@andyokus5735]

I had a CD with the some music by that Australian woman who smoked a pipe. Incredible musis. Sounded like Keith Jarrett. And some piece by Terry Riley I think. I love this stuff because it allows your mind time to rest and breathe. I wrote a thousand composistions from 2000 to 2009. I need to start over one last time. See if it's meant to be I suppose 😉. Her name was " Peggy Glanville-Hicks ". The piece was " Etruscan Concerto for Piano and Orchestra ". Check it out folks it's tremendously brilliant and moving! And yeah she smoked a pipe.

[@geotangententanglement8986]

‘Ceci n’est pas une pipe’ - Magritte.

[@andyokus5735]

@@geotangententanglement8986 Je nas comprend pas.

[@geotangententanglement8986]

I like the original reccording of MF18M the most. Best wishes from Australia.

[@deanivan3951]

WOW!

[@piggly-wiggly]

I wish resources like KZbin videos had been around in the late 70s/80s when I first started listening to Reich. For someone with no musical training, the album liner notes could only take me so far in intellectually appreciating his work. The experience of listening to it needed no further illumination. I would just put on the headphones, put the needle to the groove, and get immersed in the lush jungle of sounds.

[@loljoker127]

wow beautiful, the relation to the human condition was inspiring

[@overjoyedmatcha]

Has anyone else identified that a large rhythmic motif in this piece is ripped directly from his "clapping music"?

[@stevereich9687]

Yes! Michael, thank you for pointing out that my compositions only use the same theme over and over, in different guises. Thinking of anything but the one rhythm would be cultural appropriation and, probably, plagiarism! I proclaim (via KZbin comment) that really, the best rhythm (in takadoodoo) is TAH TAH TAH TAH! TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH TAH

[@sinkingship101]

Hmmm. I wonder what this would sound like super sped up. Im sure someone on youtube has done that

[@barefootID]

"Music for 18 Musician" is a masterpiece!

[@HighKingTurgon]

Man, Tehillim is his work that just nabs me and won't let go. It FEELS liturgical, it FEELS like prayer in a way that the setting of so many Hebrew, Latin, English texts don't.

[@10freekie2]

Unbelievable!

[@curly_wyn]

Music for 18 Musicians is THE best album of 1978.

[@lucianovandekerkhove4163]

It sounds alive

[@ludwigvanbeethoven61]

this masterpiece works like a computer chip! It is wonderful! It's techno music done with non electronic instruments and real human voices ;-)

[@69911191]

Repetitive music will never die as long as "around the world" is a thing Steve reich is king tho

[@psychedelicpiper999]

Daft Punk is my first exposure to repetitive music that’s not boring.

[@andyokus5735]

I must vent! I went to college at age 18 to study jazz and composistions. The professors were such narcissistic no-nothing assholes I dropped out. If I had gotten into the right school I would of earned my doctorate and had a decent life. I'm not the only person to put false hope into bullshit academia. Only to be totally let down. Like a brilliant genius biker... Just don't fit in.

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

As classical concert music it is definitely annoying and empty. However no doubt his monotonous styles gave richness to the music outside of it. But I wonder if it is totally new, because popular and folk musicians always flerted with repetition this way, principally in more ethnic music.

[@bigdambluesband6295]

His stuff sounds like computer created music. Does not sound like humans. No humanity or feeling. I'll take B.B King any day.

[@psychedelicpiper999]

His music was made decades before computer created music was possible. We take so much of today’s technology for granted. This was radical back in the 60’s and 70’s.

[@ernestogasulla7763]

I think he manages to be repetitive and boring. But I wouldn't hold it against him, the majority of late 20th and 21st century music is.