Steve Reich is a pioneering American composer whose work has exerted a profound influence on contemporary music, especially within the minimalist movement. Born on October 3, 1936, Reich's innovative approach to composition has focused on phasing patterns, repetitive figures, and gradual textural changes. He began to gain significant attention in the 1960s and 1970s, and since then, his music has continued to engage and challenge listeners with its rhythmic complexity and hypnotic melodies.

Among his most notable achievements is "Music for 18 Musicians," a landmark work from 1976 that encapsulates his exploration of rhythmic cycles and interlocking parts. The piece has been recorded multiple times and remains a staple in Reich's catalogue. Other significant works include "Drumming," which showcases his interest in percussion and African rhythms, and "Different Trains," a Grammy Award-winning piece that employs recorded speech and string quartet to reflect upon Reich's Jewish heritage and the Holocaust. His output, as evidenced by recent releases such as "Steve Reich: Runner / Music for Ensemble and Orchestra" and "Reich/Richter," reflects an enduring vitality and a willingness to expand on his minimalist roots. Reich's music continues to resonate widely, influencing a diverse range of artists and ensembles, and he remains respected as one of modern classical music's most distinctive voices.

Genres

American Contemporary Classical

Classical

Compositional Ambient

Contemporary Classical

Minimalism

Related Artists

Philip Glass

Brian Eno

Terry Riley

John Adams

Arvo Pärt

Michael Nyman

Krzysztof Penderecki

Meredith Monk

John Cage

Max Richter

Morton Feldman

Harold Budd

Latest Release

LIFE

Mari Samuelsen•

Mário Laginha•

Franz Schubert•

Steve Reich

Album - 11 Tracks - Released August 23, 2024