Reich/Reverberations: Double Sextet and Music for 18 Musicians

[@Goran_D]

I have watched every possible iteration of Music for 18 Musicians on KZbin and this remains the single most perfect live version I have watched. The performers are beautiful, their eye contact and connections are magic. The tone and pitch is immaculate. I simply love every aspect of this recording. Thank you again for the joy. ❤

[@davidruhf903]

I was at this performance, and it was a stunner. Steve Reich was there, too, and he seemed very, very happy with things.

[@jayjayjigsbys]

You were there?! How did it sound in the room? Was it loud? I've yet to see Mf18M live, and I can only imagine what it must be like to be in the same room. Just glad it's been uploaded. Of all the performance footage on youtube of this piece, this one is my favorite. So cool to know that Reich was there.

[@anonibass]

No wonder, Reich was happy. The groove was permanent, and without frictions. That must be nessecary for every musician to preform their own things in their own way. One big stream with thousands of variations-interperetations. There must have been a LOT to look at, and to hear from. One big adventure.. I really envvy you for being there. :-) But for musicians to rehearse this, I am not so sure.. We had a Reich-ferstival in Utrecht (Netherlands) long ago. But the musicians (many young students) seemed to be pretty worn out afterwards. But who knows? :-)

[@christopher2327]

I am an anxious person and nothing puts me at ease like Steve Reich.

[@leonore3349]

The ending of double sextet is pure euphoria.

[@theproplady]

Great! Now I get to find out what happens in the music after we pass Jupiter!

[@bauerth]

It is great to really see how the different musicians feel the music. They must have heard this 100s of times during rehearsal but they are still either nearly dancing to the music or sink into it having their eyes closed - so focused. Such a great piece of art, so calming and soothing.

[@pedrosilveira6554]

perfect soundtrack to listen while traveling from Sun to Saturn at the speed of light

[@raphinoj3848]

- Double Sextet : 0:32 - Music for 18 Musician : 24:35

[@graemehall2420]

I've known Music for 18 for 40+ years now and it remains utterly enthralling, exhilarating and one of the greatest pieces written in the Twentieth century, and this is a terrific performance and wonderful to watch.

[@jaydarnell3095]

Oh , yes! I've been listening to Music for 18 Musicians since my University days in the 1980s . Even after all these decades, I still get chills listening to this extraordinary composition. It is my weightlifting music. It is my chill music. It's my date music. It's my New Year's music. It's my contemplation music. I've listened to it hundreds of times yet every time I get the eviseral feeling of new discovery. May I ask, which do you prefer? This KZbin Lincoln Center performance or the equally extraordinary video of the performance from Grenoble, France?

[@graemehall2420]

@@jaydarnell3095 Thanks for introducing me to the Grenoble performance which was new to me. As an aside it's wonderful to see so many groups taking on the mantle from Reich's own - here in the UK Colin Currie has given some wonderful performances. Which do I prefer? Well, the Grenoble is better filmed and the sound is better, but I think the Lincoln Center shades it for me. The New York players have a greater sense of joy - you can often see it in their faces - and the music swings that little bit more. Plus I really like the NYC cityscape through the windows that seems to fit the music so well. I really liked the Grenoble encore (and I've never seen an encore before) - perhaps the players were more relaxed simply because it was an encore, but it had that dare I say "groove" that I felt slightly missing in the actual performance.

[@jaydarnell3095]

@@graemehall2420 I so wholeheartedly agree that the Allen Room @ Lincoln Center is a truly magnificent venue for M18M. Steve Reich is very much an urban composer and what could be more appropriate of a backdrop for M18M than a New York cityscape. The Lincoln Center performance is, by far, the more polished & technically proficient performance. And I am always mesmerized by Amy Garapic's work on the xylophone. Having said that, I must say I prefer the raw exuberance of the Grenoble performance. It definitely has some warts, but there's an enthusiasm I find endearing. I especially like the vocalist who bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Rue McClanahan from The Golden Girls. Nonetheless, both performances are equally extraordinary and enjoyable. I hear talk of an exemplary video performance from Tokyo, but I've yet to find it online.

[@КатеринаМирон-е4л]

I wish they have these two pieces performed again in New York this year

[@baguettedepain3975]

Amazing composer. At the same time conceptual, complex, intricate and beautiful. I'd go as far as calling him the GOAT of contemporary music. To me he is anyway.

[@francesschaefer]

he's in my top 10 for certain, and besides, in his part of the stratosphere in my top 3!😇

[@ToddKrill]

I first discovered "Minimalism" in 1970 via the British ArtRock band "Soft Machine", through their epic and storied album "THIRD". I was then a wee lad of 15 and found the cyclic, interlocking, repetitive and rhytmic patterns of the music wholly intoxicating, if not transcendental. It changed me and it inexorably changed my life. I quickly matriculated to Terry Riley's "A Rainbow in Curved Air" and, a few years later, the compositional brilliance of one Steven Reich. I am now 69 and find this music as fresh, exciting, exhilirating and, dare I say, mesmeric as I did 54 years earlier! All hail to the power of musique! Namaste and Cheers!

[@HaronLudetsky]

did that clarinet made wrong tone on 1:11:24? :D just kidding, great performance overall, Reich is a genious and still my favourite composer

[@BrianHopkins]

Love that Caroline Shaw is one of the singers -- both a great performer and composer. And The Appel Room is a magical venue.

[@martinhsl68hw]

Good spot - I hadn't realized it was her! I love Cast The Bells in Sand

[@diederikvanvleuten8341]

One of the best performances of 18 musicians. Truly great, the pulse of life and eternity. What an achievement! The harmonic change starting from 38:50 is the work of a pure genius. The pianos rolling in.. haunting beauty

[@rorycraig]

1:00:14 my man G R O O V I N

[@varhah]

I love that

[@dario6253]

The most astounding piece of music I've heard a long time.

[@maximilian.maksutovic]

Stunning performance of both! Tempo was perfect for 18, wish I was there live, thank you for sharing this!

[@mr.montesmusicclass641]

Best conductor ever

[@pettersundlof]

He was not needed

[@pettersundlof]

Notice no one is ever looking at him

[@AB-nb3id]

@@pettersundlof Yes, this is all the purpose. The conductor reaches the perfection of his work when, after "thousands of" repetitions with his explanations, observations, the musicians finally don't need to look / to listen to him anymore to play the perfect tune.

[@exabbsec]

初めてこういう音楽があるのを知りました。 魂を揺さぶられる感動を覚えます。 素晴らしい。

[@apocalipsereich6997]

Uffffffffff... That's discipline!!! It takes almost a Buddhist monk to to have such focus for such a length of time 👏👏👏

[@lahabitacioncompartida830]

These performers are astonishing!! And the Conductor... a wonder worthy to see!! Marvelous!! Thank you so much!! Regarding Reich, I deeply believe he has a sort of connection with The Other Side and is able to take us there through his music. I'm glad to be born in the same era and witness his creations.

[@gilafunk]

Very nice, especially Music for 18. My favorite live KZbin iteration of this piece is the 2008 performance from Tokyo (Reich performing with the group), but this is also a joy to listen to. Very precise but also emotionally engaged/energetic. It's always interesting how the mix of the performances highlights voices differently and, as such, I'm always discovering new aspects of the piece I hadn't noticed before. Love this work by Reich. Signal doing justice in this performance!

[@aaronzacharyreed6163]

For some reason I really enjoy the stumbling texture created by the vibraphones' dead strokes around 12:00. Amazing performances generally, too!

[@aconcretemoth9382]

the music of false starts combo with the music that never ends?! (actually a major reich fan here but couldnt resist)

[@graemehall2420]

Watching this for about the billionth time and Amy Garapic is simply immense.

[@jonathaneffemey8828]

Thanks so much for posting!

[@sanjios]

Wonderful. Thank you. Perfect rendition.

[@Goran_D]

Was the lady playing wrong notes at the 50 min mark?

[@creange]

quelles merveilles ! merci à tous pour ce partage.

[@TheEverlong12]

These guys killed it. Bravo Ensemble Signal!! 👏👏👏👏

[@TheJimNicholson]

Absolutely sublime.

[@jml6757]

I love your Music 🎉🎉🎉. John the french guy

[@PericolososporeJerzy]

Superbe restitution de Music for 18 musicians. On est transportés très loin. Bravo et merci!

[@ferguscurrie-modularorigam3432]

This is in the Allen Room! Great place to play! Lovely sounds and wonderful playing!

[@tronnyjeverton]

What an absolutely incredible performance - bravo

[@bazarmaniac7662]

Magnifique cette version ! Ça groove. Merci pour le post .

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

Steve is unique in the history of Western classical music because, for the most part, his music never uses a grand pause where the entire ensemble takes a breath and then continues. There are no cadences or points of resolution.His music, like the Double Sextet, is motorific and relentless and, unless you are in the right mood, it can be a bit overwhelming.

[@anonibass]

An amazing 18M !!! Truly great! They do know about groove and rhythm. Sadly the mix wasn't perfect. (too much low mids anyway) But I have to admit.. It must be a hell of a job in this music, to balance it all out, and give every musician room. They all contribute equally in this music. For a mixer-editor, this might be the hardest music to do, not to mention the always limited time for it. Still a great job done..

[@_rhythmstore]

Wow amazing!!

[@Paolo62ist]

Meraviglioso Steve.

[@mikeg2924]

I like this a lot!

[@KimTuckerFr]

aaah it works better here than on Facebook.

[@giannideprato2250]

Bellissimo !!!!

[@davidreyes1913]

I worked as a stage hand for Monday Evening Concerts in Los Angeles during the late seventies, early eighties. Dorrance Stalvey was the music director and had invited Mr. Reich and ensemble to perform at MEC during my stint there. I believe it was the first performance in Los Angeles for them. The performances were good. They displayed an airiness and light touch about them. My point is that unfortunately now many of the performances are heavy handed and mechanical in approach like this one is. Very good but lacking in lightness and breath. Then this style of music making was tagged as “phasing”, which I still refer it as. I’ll never forget their performance at MEC and shared with Lawrence Morton that evening that it was good He agreed!

[@stevenridgley3254]

Ok

[@vKarl71]

What exactly does "heavy handed and mechanical" mean?

[@fernandoabdo1255]

24:35

[@α11ε]

amazing sound sounds like lofis

[@michelebeartGIBBONGASCON]

MERCI

[@islandpalm148]

The Overview Effect. Two nine-foot grands over a CVS.

[@terryhastings2465]

Give it up for Maraca guy. a freakin' metronome and wrists of steel.

[@RobotBook-t7x]

Великолепно!

[@dawnoei1782]

❤️

[@polyphony72]

brought here by Matty Healy of The 1975

[@Ssspaceform]

But there is conductor ???

[@shmuelman]

I thought Music for 18 Musicians was to played without a conductor. That must be a challenge for the musicians, but that is how I have seen it performed.

[@darylcumming7119]

👍

[@adamdevlin4533]

shout out to CVS

[@remipayre9069]

Superbe, mais on compte 20 musiciens et non 18 : 4 pianos, 8 percussions, 4 chanteuses, 2 cordes et 2 vents. Qui peut expliquer ce mystère ?

[@baguettedepain3975]

La musique requiert au minimum 18 musicien, d'ou le titre, mais il est conseillé de le jouer a plus pour notemment pouvoir faire des relais et laisser reposer certains musiciens de temps en temps qui sinon joueraient non-stop pendant plus d'une heure.

[@JonathanKandell]

Too bad the lead xylophone and lead marimba are so low in the mix.

[@sillylittletroy]

Shout out CVS pharmacy

[@remipayre9069]

Stunning performance, but there is 20 musicians on stage, and not 18.

[@paulm8473]

The piece could be played by just 18 musicians, but it'd be too taxing. From my experience seeing/hearing different performances of this heavenly place, the ensembles are typically larger. I think the Reich planned it to be this way.

[@stanleygreenberg66]

I think I've heard Reich talk about that, and that 18 could do with with a lot of acrobatics, but now that they can afford the other two it's easier to pull off.

[@xiyyea5205]

24:35