Steve Reich: Octet; Music for a Large Ensemble; Violin Phase [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Judith Sugarman (Performer), Lewis Paer (Performer), Chris Finckel (Performer), Michael Finckel (Performer), Mort Silver (Performer), Richard Cohen (Performer), Virgil Blackwell (Performer), Steve Reich (Composer), Edmund Niemann (Performer), Larry Karush (Performer), Nurit Tilles (Performer), Steve Reich (Performer), Ed Joffe (Performer), Vincent Gnojek (Performer), Douglas Hedwig (Performer), James Dooley (Performer), James Hamlin (Performer), Marshall Farr (Performer), Claire Bergmann (Performer), Ruth Siegler (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Judith Sugarman, Lewis Paer, Chris Finckel, Michael Finckel, Mort Silver, et al.
• Composer: Steve Reich
• Audio CD (April 18, 2000)
• SPARS Code: AAD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B0000261I7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,720 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Reich's best works, July 29, 2005

By	meteordude (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Octet and Music for a Large Ensemble are two of my favorite Steve reich works. Octet has lots of low winds and piano, giving it a lot of charm and textural warmth. Music for a Large Ensemble has more of an urgent feel, more of a piercing texture at times, and is also a beautiful piece (one of his best, I think). If you like Reich's earlier style, along the lines of Music for Eighteen Musicians, you will probably like these - Violin Phase is more of a novelty to me, as I am more drawn to Steve's pieces that have more harmonic motion (like the other two I just mentioned). If you've never heard Steve Reich, this disk would be a fine start, offering great recordings of two complex, somewhat epic pieces, and a sample of his earliest style (phasing by manipulating tape speeds)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Reich..., May 19, 2004

By	Jonny B (London) - See all my reviews

Different Trains? Nah, this is the groundbreaking work that has given Reich such a cutting edge in the world of 20th century music. The pure tonal palette that he achieves with the 30 plus ensemble in the self titled is incredible, and the complexity and busyness of the 4 part phase shifting of Violin Phase is not to be missed. Octet was a step forward showing his growing interest in complex melodies, and was certainly another evolution in his writing style. If you ever want to collect some beautiful music, this would be a good starting point.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...and they told Mozart he used too many notes!, March 25, 2002

By	Michael (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

Upon starting the journey into this volume of work, keep in mind that there is a lot to listen for and all of it is soothing yet extremely busy. "Music For A Lage Ensemble" is in four sections, each of which is marked by a key change. The interwoven contrapuntal lines never cease until the music suddenly stops. "Violin Phase" is a great multi-faceted phase piece, unlike his 2-part phases of the previous years, and exploits the remarkable talents of Shem Guibbory. However, it is the "Octet" that takes the prize on this collection, or any other for that matter. You are immediately immersed in a cascading waterfall of pianos over a still stream of sustained strings. The virtuosity needed for the pianists to perform this work is astounding. You only need to look at the cover to see that. The cover of this album is the final ten bars of "Octet." The tempo is MM=204. Then try to play it that speed. The pianists Edmund Niemann and Nurit Tilles endure similar patterns continuously for the entire 17:30 of the piece. The piece ends with a web of pianos, flute and piccolo lines over still sustained strings that leaves the listener very satisfied. All of the music on this record makes you feel happy with your life for the time being. Listen and you will know for yourself.