Sextet, by Steve Reich (FULL PERFORMANCE)

[@skolamaria4090]

what I so much like in Reich's music is the interplay between people - there 's no stars - they make music - together

[@badfreddytube]

+Stoll Silwe young musician of the year

[@alexquinones9239]

+Stoll Silwe What are you talking about? Charlie Akerman A.K.A. Stoney (guy with beard) is a star in the minimalist music world winning 4 MTV music awards last year and being in the cover of Rolling Stone 5 times. He has also made a few cameos in Hollywood in movies such as "Dude Where's My Car" and "American Pie 2".

[@minhnhatnguyen7966]

Alex Quinones he meant that within the performance,no one is truly the focus, everyone has the same share of the spotlight. of course there are talented musicians in the group, but in this performance they all play equally important roles

[@sekarkuno4899]

Gamelan has the characteristic. It about the group cohesion. For the most part there are no real soloists. The role of singers can come close but it's very much dialed back.

[@mauricechernick5382]

That’s the Gamelan influence.

[@jamessymington2466]

This remains one of the most impressive performances of any piece of music I have seen.

[@Spencergundersenmusic]

Have you seen the Vic Firth capture of 18 musicians? It’s insane

[@gunnarfolsom6159]

Not only is this one of the best performances of this piece I have heard, but HOW. ON. EARTH. did you all memorize it?? I have played this piece, so I am aware it has patterns that repeat for 4x, 7x, 13x, 43x, etc. Playing the piece is difficult enough (which you all make look so easy!), but playing it from memory should qualify as an Olympian feat. Absolutely breathtaking. Congrats for all your hard work!

[@DrumUltimA]

We rehearsed this for about six months straight before performing it...so we had a lot of practice! :)

[@NenJiDaPassiv]

So what does that equate to in terms of passes through the piece? 1000 times? 10000 times?

[@jayphonic9244]

My marching band played a version of this in our show last year

[@Ludwigooo]

Hey Doug. Which Sounds/Patches did you use for the Synthesizers? :)

[@sexhetphan944]

Gunnar Folsom sexhet

[@ondinehd6889]

Actually, this is the best performance of Reich's Sextet! So precise, and yet so flexible, swing like, with notes and melodic fragments which bounce and resonate, and not at all square, rigid, or dry as in many other performances. The pacing is wonderful. Also, pulling the bows up works so much better than pushing them down, and makes so much more sense in order to get a natural fading away of sound, and diminuendo for each note and chord. And to top of it all, memorized?! Chapeau!! Magical piece, and performance!

[@PeteBeat]

This is one of my favorite videos to watch while I'm flying across the country. It perfectly mirrors the experience: Hurtling through space at the same time that it seems nothing is changing, or only imperceptibly so...

[@NilodeRoock]

Ouch... "while I'm flying across the country", think about how that looks in 2022 or 2030+. - Unbelievable that sounded cool in 2016-. It doesn't now. The internet remembers.

[@wiggles3238]

@@NilodeRoock why so randomly mean.

[@aguynamedshelly]

To the folk at Vic Firth who saw fit to record and post this but mostly to these performers, thank you. What an absolutely sublime and exceptional composition and performance. Over the months I've played this over and over and it never fails to move me.

[@DrumUltimA]

On behalf of the performers: Thank you!!

[@ChollieD]

Great job, Doug & his fellow musicians! The performance is terrific.

[@WayneE42]

I totally agree.

[@simonford5605]

I so agree Shelly... I play this over and over and I don't think I will cease

[@deich31]

When it comes to providing great content to potential customers, Vic Firth is the gold standard.

[@bloodstock66]

Not only a brilliant performance, but the recording is fantastic, the blend between electronic and acoustics sounds is perfect!

[@TheJimNicholson]

I have yet to hear anything composed by Steve Reich that isn't compelling, provocative or sublime. This is a superb performance. Thank you for the hard work and months of preparation that went into it.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Completely hypnotizing music and still cristal clear. This Yale Pecussion Group deserves all the superlatives they can get. This music has knocked me out many times and still does!

[@bernardpieton]

Je croyais connaître le sextet, mais interprété de cette manière, c'est sublime, complètement envoûtant, avec une qualité de premier ordre. Merci à Steve Reich et aux musiciens de nous donner un tel moment de bonheur.

[@SantiagoKodela]

Mari has such a flow when performing this piece. Very hypnotising 🙌🏻

[@daviddenton8763]

This piece kept me captivated for 25 minutes...wow! What a great performance.

[@nonquintessentialone]

David Denton phone battery on 4%...

[@nonquintessentialone]

Sooo much doooooopeness bravo bravo

[@tomrobingray]

I think I would describe this as "ambeint music on speed". I find it very relaxaing, but at the same time stimulating, which is a nice state to be in.

[@taylorannnoe]

Good and accurate description. That makes it great music for homework.

[@Braunld]

How about simply "lively music," or, "dynamic and varied 'minimalism'". Ambient music is wallpaper music, whereas this holds my attention. Doesn't speed make you agitated?

[@malpesta2626]

This is definitely the best way to describe his music. A nice state to be in. I'll add mine: Reich's music fits like an hand made dress.

[@phillipecook3227]

For me it's a guilty pleasure... shouldn't enjoy it but ....

[@nodezsh]

@@Braunld Ambient music is meant to be apt for both background noise and active listening, so not quite. And then there's ambient techno, which is derived from ambient but is usually too aggressive to keep on the background for relaxation like regular ambient usually is. (You can still keep it in the background as ambience but you're not as likely to relax.) Reich is really his own genre. But if you need a name, I think you're looking for "minimalism", which is the closest genre to his work. Still, like I said, he's really his own thing.

[@jonathandegann4121]

Stunning performance - I did not intend to watch it all the way through, but I could not stop. I love this piece now more than ever having seen you perform it.

[@johnlindstrom9994]

My reaction too. Potential for boredom seems high; yet, this grabs you by its evolving INTENSITY.

[@MrRezillo]

I clicked on this just on a whim. Now I can't pull myself away from it. Very exciting music, repetitions and all. Also, I had no idea you could play and marimba or a xylophone with a bow. Nice swinging jazz groove in the final section.

[@paulvarn4712]

Steve Reich creates sublime percussionist dreamlands. Amazing MEMORIZED performance!

[@pinkobreftempsla]

I so love this performance. I listen to it regularly as it brings me great joy AND helps me concentrate and get into a zone of optimal work performance.

[@cairographics]

Beautifully performed and filmed! Totally enjoy the young lady's stage presence and dance-like body language---really enhances the performance!

[@Arminchen]

Yep, I agree competely! ;-)

[@staffanolofsson8201]

I agree, look at 20:38

[@deich31]

Perfect amount of swagger from these exceptional young musicians.

[@achenarmyst2156]

You truly miss something if you leave out the ballet aspect in performing.

[@kevinv.m.94]

I guess, all of them are dancing together with their instruments, just in different styles.

[@ald5365]

Absolument magique ! Musique incroyable, performance parfaite. J'en suis sans voix !

[@MrCjsb]

Listened to this many scores of times, but never actually watched a performance. What a treat! The Music of the Spheres leading to almost a state of absolute bliss! Transcendent.

[@benjaminwoodrowmusic6070]

That last section is phenomenal 👏👏👏

[@vincentlavachery8592]

Incroyable qu'ils retiennent tout par coeur. Voir les mouvements des musiciens et les voir s'amuser donne encore une dimension supérieure a cette musique aussi riche qu'originale. Je suis fan !

[@Mutantcy1992]

Man left keyboardist has a "this is my life now" look most of the time and I can't blame him.

[@ProfessorThock]

marimbas, vibraphones, keyboard synthesizers, and pianos are all keyboard instruments... I assume you're talking about the left synth player, but the part that doesn't change much is often the most important to be perfect. It is what the ensemble relies on for staying together.

[@adgepipkin2715]

Don't be a snob. He obviously is referring to the synth player, being that there are more apt terms for players of the other instruments.

[@Mutantcy1992]

Adge Pipkin Lol, thank you. Please show me the guy who refers to a marimba player as a keyboardist when there's a person playing the synth five feet away.

[@ProfessorThock]

Adge Pipkin Well damn, it's not like the main reason for my comment was to say that they're all keyboards. Really only mentioned that to make sure nobody thought I was saying something wrong, not to correct the original statement. I obviously understood what he meant. Sorry if it came across as rude, but being rude to a rude person never solves anything anyway.

[@DrumUltimA]

Can confirm: Terry is in a constant state of existential grief

[@danthemanpatrick]

one of my absolute favorite pieces. I never thought in a million years I'd see this on Vic's channel. Thanks much!

[@omrijoker]

great to see vic firth promoting such unconventional music by a composer that just so happens to be one of my favorites of all time. thank you!

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Mari Yoshinaga moves so nice. Love her movements in rytm with the music.

[@IceBass29]

This is an absolutely delightful musical find!

[@edwilliams9914]

The more Reich I hear the more I like it. Thanks for posting this.

[@Joseph-Tapper]

What a brilliant performance. Well done Yale!

[@granthamilton1918]

If there is anyone who put this together still watching, I want you all to know that this recording, not just the composition but this very recording, is my third favorite song of all time and I love it dearly. Everything about it is perfect, it’s the greatest achievement in the history of 12 tone equal temperament.

[@kylereasterson5934]

1:54 - 10:13 that keyboardist was bringing the heat

[@louthewatcher]

I personally though the volume could have been a bit more present. I could'nt really hear the chords underneath the mallets, sounded a bit like maracas. stiil, played steadily and not rushed.

[@GaudinSax]

Glad someone else noticed. That had me shook.

[@ignaciopalmabalboa]

One of finest pieces of music i have heard, thanks for the experience!!!

[@danawestover6373]

I am in awe of the musicianship here, and also to Reich himself, a true original thinker. Wow!

[@Belfreyite]

This is a triumphal performance by a fantastic group of musicians. The precise time keeping is superb. BRAVO

[@markrush2107]

Wow, wow, wow!!! I can't see how this piece could be performed any better. Bravo for days.

[@TheGoosington]

Best performance I have ever heard of Sextet.

[@marcsmith7789]

Incredible musicianship by the entire group. Beautiful performance. Very, very impressive.

[@pauljackson1029]

Extraordinary performance of an extraordinary work, and from memory !!!

[@DFCinBE]

What a great performance ! Such energy, perfect mastery and sheer joy they send out while playing. Simply amazing. That's what Steve Reich's music is to me: incredibly complex at the beginning, but once you master the rhythms and feel where the music's going and get into the 'groove', it just becomes pure pleasure to play and hear ...

[@oscargill423]

These harmonies... are some of the most beautiful I've ever heard. And what Reich does with the progression... this is incredible. Edit: The more I listen to this the more I realise just how un-repetitive it is. Obviously there's a lot of use of ostinato, but it's surprisingly rare that any two sections or subsections are ever the same, whether in terms of harmony, length, textural density, etc.

[@crescentsi]

Absolutely, very jazz influenced and little bit baroque!

[@Burt472]

Fully agreed

[@RickWolffTV]

ef-ing awesome performance! and nice to see musicians whose facial expressions and body comportments show just how much joy they get from playing a piece. (Nice job on the video editing, too!)

[@Protonixum]

Stunning performance and without the score!!!! Virtuosos! And to top it off, excellent work! What joy !!!

[@Burt472]

Awesome...Thanks for sharing....Steve Reich is obviously a Genius and these guys....Fantastic.....

[@martinebourdeau8353]

Beautiful pristine aquatic sound. I saw one of Steve Reich's performances in Paris in the eighties, and along with Philip Glass and Adams, he is one my favorite modern American composers.

[@stevesm2010]

Wow! You should of all taken a bow at the end. An amazing and captivating performance. You all look so comfortable and you all seemed to be enjoying yourselves. Absolute magic! Bravo :D

[@markrush2107]

I'm in awe. An absolutely stellar performance of a brilliant piece of music. If I had been there during the filming of this video, you'd have seen me dancing in pure joy somewhere in the background.

[@369blueyes]

completely and utterly compelling from start to finish. Bravo!

[@dangordon2220]

I can't believe I'd never even heard of Steve Reich until today! As someone who doesn't know very much at all about music, it's interesting to see how the performers move between the pianos and the 'mallet instruments' so seemlessly. I've always thought they were quite different things in my head, but I can see here that they work in sort of similar ways. I wonder if being really good at the Marimba makes you learn the piano much more quickly or vice versa - interesting. Anyway, thanks for putting this up, I've really enjoyed it.

[@johnthefrogakakrazert819]

Once you know one instrument it becomes more easy to learn a second and a third one. Basic concepts are the same, just different movements.

[@JahnBeukesMusic]

BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big respect from a CCM percussion Alumni!

[@myuhlz]

Holy shit, that performance was brilliant! PLEASE MOAR!!!

[@guscairns1]

Another of my Reich favourites, for its enegy and because he started bringing in much darker and more dramatic harmonies with this one.

[@PugCuber]

Without a doubt the best performance of this piece. Really, really, really well done…

[@afyn47q]

The dudes at the marimbas are totally in love.

[@markkabuto]

+Patrick Wenda And I'm in love with them. The entire group more like, this is amazing.

[@DrumUltimA]

+Patrick Wenda It's true ;)

[@anthonygreen7063]

I bet they shagged each other senseless after that performance.

[@jessicafrench4963]

Really great performance! This group is beyond talented! Keep at it! I really love watching their Reich performances.

[@Centigonos]

This performance is heartbreakingly beautiful! What a tour de force! Simply amazing! Thank you very much!

[@ludovicjoubert6101]

I used to listen to this non stop a few years ago. I had never seen it performed. Wonderful!

[@JahnBeukesMusic]

A wonderful, mesmerising performance of an incredible composition! Thank you!

[@achenarmyst2156]

Came to know Reich through JC. Started off with Music for 18 Musicians and then followed YT recommendations to this one. Absolutely stunning, fantastic, a revelation.

[@birgitbofarull4410]

Amazing!!!!!!! Control, synergy, rhythm, everything is done in absolute trust.

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Stunning piece...................stunning performance.

[@末岡武彦]

Very easy to understand, interesting and exciting music. Excellent work like Wadaiko (Japanese drums) ensemble with beautiful harmony.　I also remember ELP's TARKUS about half century ago. This kind of music was very new in that time. But seems to become more and more excellent. とても分かりやすく面白くわくわくする音楽ですね。和太鼓バンドに美しいハーモニーを付けたみたいで洗練された作品ですね。それと約半世紀前のELPのタルカスを思い出しました。この種の音楽は当時は新鮮でしたね。でもだんだん洗練されて来ている感じがします。·

[@GianniTedesco55]

strange and particular ... Samba ? ^.^

[@末岡武彦]

Interesting. We evaluate other person’s music based on each past musical experience. Also thank you for your newest relaxation music with your nice arrangement.

[@daslafdev]

末岡武彦 It reminds me a lot of Pierre Moerlen's Gong and a little bit of Magma too.

[@peterjameskirkbride5133]

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Easily the best performance ever of Sextet and i've heard most of the recordings of it and witnessed it live on numerous occasions. That was a spiritual experience. What an awful shame there wasn't an audience there to appreciate this flawless performance of musical perfection

[@dbbubba01]

Back in 1988 I was fortunate enough to be an "audience" for a rehearsal led by Steve Reich himself of a percussion ensemble in Dallas. I was able to get a cassette copy of the piece and I wore it out over the years. I also used to write production music and I snuck in ideas from this piece more than a few times.

[@panatlantik1734]

the internet is now complete. thank you!

[@millennial8441]

A master piece of contemporary music indeed. And it is very well performed. Thumbs up.

[@johnshitwalker3483]

What a religious experience, mystic call... Thank you Steve.

[@XxDUSTYxX666]

brilliant and breathtakingly beautiful performance! thumbs up!

[@markrush2107]

Pure joy watching this video. Hats off to the performers!

[@emtube9298]

Absolutely fantastic performance! Even though I know I'm watching a prerecorded video over the internet, I couldn't stop myself from giving a prolonged ovation at the end! I echo the remarks that not only the performance, including the tight ensemble work, but also the fact that you played this bear of a piece from memory---I bow my head in respect. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@owenriley2062]

Great song and even better performance. Thank you Steve, another banger; and thank you Vic Firth and Yale Percussion for letting me hear it. side note: parts of this sound like boss music, especially the last few minutes

[@freemason3]

Awsome stuff. Steve Reich's music is so simplistic, but really adds up to some incredibly intense ensemble moments!

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Actually, it's not as simplistic as you think!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Some of Reich's music is simplistic, but certainly not this piece. It touches an intellect no less than emotions.

[@joaoguerreiro52]

Simplistic in terms of harmony, rhythmically is quite complicated

[@NjabuloPhungula]

I composed a piece for recently where the opening was just the piano and vibraphone playing repeated phrases. After the concert, I had a number people telling me it reminded them of Steve Reich's work (whose music I'm not all that familiar with). I get what they mean now. :)

[@TeusAraujo]

Flawless group, flawless

[@elmerexpress]

A freakin' Masterpiece. Nothing less!

[@robappleby583]

Absolutely fantastic performance. Possibly the best I've heard.

[@AlistairLindsay]

Wow! I really enjoyed watching and listening to this. Truly inspiring performance and totally magical. Thank you!!

[@scottholman3982]

I have never seen a xylophone bowed before. Very unique sound. At times this piece seems like music for a horror movie, then it becomes relaxing meditation music. Very different!

[@julianarancibiapercusion2746]

Hi, the instrument you see being bowed here is a vibraphone, not to worry though as it is a common mistake, but yeah I see what you mean! great piece!!

[@alexandercarygarnick8474]

This is one of the greatest videos I have ever seen.

[@ricardocobo7378]

impeccably done! Reich's Sextet premiere in 1985 was a dazzling and life-changing event. This Version is no less remarkable.

[@hootgibson3544]

This is soooo good! What a wonderful performance and recording.

[@EmeraldFox11]

Love how I feel like I can almost hear the lyrics through the notes on those vibraphones in that middle section.. so amazing!!!!!!!

Those hemiolas in the 5th movement! Like the ones in Electric Counterpoint 3rd movement. Such a fine detail but an absolutely significant one for the rhythmic stability... this is counterpoint at its purest form, and it all can be seen on the players. Well done! This piece is a beast, and there are so many lower quality performances on YT, but you guys played it A*!

[@sadcowstudios9241]

Beautiful performance of an amazing piece - there’s such enthusiasm that complements the emotion of the composition perfectly

[@dennischiapello7243]

There's something elemental yet mysterious in watching people play mallet instruments. I'm simply amazed that they can so accurately hit those slivers of wood or metal, yet it looks so natural--and physically fun!

[@ems7623]

It definitely takes a lot of skill and practice. I think there's something very direct for both musicians and audiences about percussion instruments in general. Unlike brass or woodwind instruments, you can see the physical production of sound so directly. And yet, the sounds produced can have such a wide variety of textures from one percussion instrument to another. Perhaps this is what you mean by "elemental but mysterious"

[@canobenitez]

@@ems7623 drums are the oldest instruments, so there is something primal around there

[@mrnnhnz]

that was awesome. Thanks for composing it. Thanks for performing and uploading it!

[@alexbalaclava3976]

Amazing performance of an amazing piece. Congratulations. Wow for the bow-vibraphone part! (10:43 to 14:21; at first they sound like a Glass Harp). Again, Ama-aga-ama-azin'!!

[@1delius]

Superb music and superb performance!!

[@klausbaden]

Great job! Congrats. That was world class!

[@GlenTindal]

Best. Performance. Ever!

[@ignacioinder]

Thank you Vic for producing a well done video of some of the most revelating composers of modern times. Hands down to Reich

[@MrDanMan60]

My brain thanks you. Seriously. This gets my mind organized. A breath of fresh air. :)

[@Uvisir]

***** "This gets my mind organized" i agree, good words that I was looking for before hehe!

[@MrDanMan60]

Uvisir :)

[@AlexWalkerSmith]

Absolutely amazing. I was floored by this, outstanding performance you guys! The fifth movement MUST be where John Williams got his inspiration for his score to Artificial Intelligence. Sounds so much like "The Mecha World".

[@QuabmasM]

Absolutely beautiful & very unique. Love the time signature.

[@npchong]

Astonishing performance. The precision, the memorization--just incredible. I hope they treated some live audiences to this as well.

[@Chrisrocks33]

Reich, you are a genius and creator of ours time

[@GeraldineLancaster]

Feel sorry for the guy who had to play 2 keys for 10mins straight. Outstanding performance nevertheless.

[@connorsweeney2638]

That's my bro

[@dantea7475]

Geraldine Lancaster that is the definition percussion.

[@louthewatcher]

Geraldine Lancaster the chords change through out,

[@shaulyudbet]

cream cheese.

[@sannieswart7586]

Wel erg prettig voor zijn vriendinnetje, die er thuis plezier aan beleefd. Als je begrijpt wat ik bedoel ;)

[@wenpic5541]

awesome composition, awesome performace, awesome musicians, actually been long time since I had to concentrate in order to follow a musical piece, really enjoyed

[@NUCLEOSONOROESTUDIOS]

Fantástico. De mis preferidas de Reich. Gracias. Felicitaciones.

[@Paradoxicc]

most epic-ly timed finale. i am floored.

[@RightfulFallen]

That was the fastest 25 minutes of my life. I felt like it was only half over. Amazing stuff