Customer Reviews

Steve Reich: Octet; Music for a Large Ensemble; Violin Phase

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)

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.

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.

Like others here I enjoyed the composition of "Music for Large Ensemble", and "Octet". ("Violin Phase" I can do without.) But Manfred Eicher's production is intrusive and of questionable taste, with an overabundance of 70s-era reverb that sounds gimmicky and at times shrill. (Especially on the piccolo part--ouch!!!) The mastering does little to help, with a remarkably weak low end.

This deficiency was particularly obvious after I bought the "Phases" box set (terrific bargain, BTW!) and heard Bang on a Can's recording of "Eight Lines", which is "Octet" retitled. It was gorgeously produced, and I have had absolutely no inclination to revisit this recording since. I look forward to buying an alternate version of "Music for Large Ensemble" in the future. In the meantime, I recommend that prospective purchasers of this CD consider other options.

There are 3 tracks on this CD. Forget "Violin Phase" which really is just filler, and from an earlier era in Reich's development. The other two tracks are what you want to hear. "Octet" and "Music for a Large Ensemble" are Steve Reich at his very finest. He had developed his sound, but was still relatively young and hungry for success. You will listen to this music in complete amazement that these are classic acoustic instruments. The trick in making them sound so unique is in brilliant compositions heard here.

This cd was the first cd to introduce me to Reich's compositional style. Little did I know how minimalism could be so exciting. The Music for a Large Ensemble uses a great pallete of tone color to pull the listener in. The Violin Phase is one of my favorites. The different harmonic and melodic patterns that are created through the phasing of the instruments is amazing. The only reason I give it four starts is because the versions of the recordings are somewhat short. To really get a feel for the music and to better experience what Reich is trying to do, I would suggest listening to longer recordings. Music for a Large Ensemble is available in much longer versions. Octet and Violin Phase are much harder to find, so I would definitely recommend this cd for those works.