Music for 18 Musicians
Steve Reich Ensemble
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| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music for 18 Musicians: I. Pulses | Steve Reich Ensemble | 5:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Music for 18 Musicians: II. Section I | Steve Reich Ensemble | 3:58 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Music for 18 Musicians: III. Section II | Steve Reich Ensemble | 5:13 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Music for 18 Musicians: IV. Section IIIA | Steve Reich Ensemble | 3:55 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Music for 18 Musicians: V. Section IIIB | Steve Reich Ensemble | 3:45 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 6 | Music for 18 Musicians: VI. Section IV | Steve Reich Ensemble | 6:36 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 7 | Music for 18 Musicians: VII. Section V | Steve Reich Ensemble | 6:48 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 8 | Music for 18 Musicians: VIII. Section VI | Steve Reich Ensemble | 4:54 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 9 | Music for 18 Musicians: IX. Section VII | Steve Reich Ensemble | 4:19 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 10 | Music for 18 Musicians: X. Section VIII | Steve Reich Ensemble | 3:34 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 11 | Music for 18 Musicians: XI. Section IX | Steve Reich Ensemble | 5:23 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 12 | Music for 18 Musicians: XII. Section X | Steve Reich Ensemble | 1:50 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 13 | Music for 18 Musicians: XIII. Section XI | Steve Reich Ensemble | 5:44 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 14 | Music for 18 Musicians: XIV. Pulses | Steve Reich Ensemble | 6:10 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 14 Songs |
Album Review
After Reich's initial experiments with phase music, he moved on to exploring pulse — music that had no relation to melody, but would repeat phrases of either one or several notes, increasing then decreasing in volume as long as the musician had the stamina. When repeated with several musicians playing around one key and starting them off at different times, the result was a piece that continuously evolved, sounding like a night drive through a neon city with bright sounds appearing on the horizon, coming closer, then disappearing behind. The original recording in 1978 on ECM records was a major step forward for Reich and legitimized his music beyond the experimentation of such works as "Violin Phase." Where the phase work felt insular and looped, Music for 18 Musicians stretches as far as the eye can see. The piece was rerecorded in the late '90s, but this original recording is worth checking out, even more now for the historical value.
Recent Customer Reviews
In my top three favorite compositions.
by Doug44I purchased the '76 recording in a record store by mistake thinking it was something else in 1985. In 24 years and hearing it countless times, I still discover something new each time. Both the '76 and '99 versions are good in my opinion. I find it completely transporting and after hearing it all the way through uninterupted, it takes me a moment to get my bearings.
Life changing
by BauermanThere is so much to be said about this work and I should know... I wrote a 15+ page term paper about it! At first it all sounded the same... It took me about the fifth time listening to the album before I actually started to like it. And then the whole thing opened up... Now, I own another recording of the same work, I want the the others by Garden State and Ensemble Modern, and I even own a copy of the score!
Long story short, the piece is similar to the encyclopedic exposure of compositional techniques that Philip Glass accomplished in "Music in 12 Parts", but this time in a work of about an hour. The opening Pulses suggest a progression of 11 chords which are expanded into separate mini compositions, the Sections that follow. Each one makes use of a techique, usually addition or subtraction of notes/beats. For example, Section I adds parts by measures while Section II adds one note at a time. Many of the performance practices are up to the performer (such as the number of repetitions to perform). Holding it all together are the metallophone (the bell-like notes) and the bass clarinet, who give cues (since there is no conductor). These provide signposts that can track your progress through the piece... The maracas in Section VI mark an almost halfway point, for example.
All these details cannot describe the lush Grammy Award winning sound (which was admittedly achieved through engineering). It is a beautiful landmark in American music.
A work of genius
by SociopathhThis was the first piece of music I turned to when I began listening to classical music, particularly minimalist.
Top Albums and Songs by Steve Reich Ensemble
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music for 18 Musicians: I. Pulses | Music for 18 Musicians | 5:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Music for 18 Musicians: V. Section IIIB | Music for 18 Musicians | 3:45 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Music for 18 Musicians: II. Section I | Music for 18 Musicians | 3:58 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | City Life - Check It Out (movement 1) | Steve Reich: Works - 1965-1995 | 5:51 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Music for 18 Musicians: IV. Section IIIA | Music for 18 Musicians | 3:55 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Classical, Music, Modern Composition, Avant-Garde, Minimalism
- Released: Mar 31, 1998
- ℗ 2005 Nonesuch Records Manufactured & Marketed by Rhino Entertainment
