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Music for 18 Musicians
Studio album by Steve Reich and Musicians
Released	1978
Genre	20th Century Classical
Length	56:31
Label	ECM
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Robert Christgau (A−) link Rolling Stone (favorable) link Classical Net (favorable) link

Music for 18 Musicians is a seminal work of musical minimalism composed by Steve Reich during 1974-1976. Its world premiere was on April 24, 1976 at Town Hall, New York. Following this, a recording of the piece was released by ECM New Series. A recording of the opening sections is on Steve Reich's official website.

Music for 18 Musicians was written for a cello, violin, two clarinets (both players double on bass clarinet), four pianos, three marimbas, two xylophones, a metallophone, and four women's voices. In the introduction to the score, Reich mentions that although the piece is named Music for 18 Musicians, it is not necessarily advisable to perform the piece with that few players due to the extensive doubling it requires. With only 18 musicians, the parts are divided as follows:

1. violin
2. cello
3. female voice
4. female voice
5. female voice
6. piano
7. piano
8. piano and maracas
9. marimba and maracas
10. marimba and xylophone
11. marimba and xylophone
12. marimba and xylophone
13. metallophone and piano
14. piano and marimba
15. marimba, xylophone, and piano
16. clarinet and bass clarinet
17. clarinet and bass clarinet
18. female voice and piano

The piece is based around a cycle of eleven chords. A small piece of music is based around each chord, and the piece returns to the original cycle at the end. The sections are aptly named "Pulses," and Section I-XI. This was Reich's first attempt at writing for larger ensembles, and the extension of performers resulted in a growth of psycho-acoustic effects, which fascinated Reich, and he noted that he would like to "explore this idea further". A prominent factor in this work is the augmentation of the harmonies and melodies and the way that they develop this piece. Another important factor in the piece is the use of human breath, used in the clarinets and voices, which help structure and bring a pulse to the piece. The player plays the pulsing note for as long as he can hold it, while each chord is melodically deconstructed by the ensemble, along with augmentation of the notes held. The metallophone (unplugged vibraphone), is used to cue the ensemble to change patterns or sections.

Some sections of the piece have an ABCDCBA structure, and Reich noted that this one work contained more harmonic movement in the first five minutes than any other work he had written.

[edit] Recordings

There have been many performances of the piece, and five commercial recordings:

• The original ECM version played by Steve Reich and Musicians
• The Ensemble Modern version
• The Nonesuch version, played by Reich and musicians along with new musicians
• The Amadinda Percussion Group version, a live concert recording
• The Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble version
  • This 2007 Innova release, the first recorded in surround sound, has received critical praise nationwide, including from Steve Reich, who stated, "A gorgeous and stunningly accurate CD of Music for 18 Musicians, from the heartland to the heart. Take a listen."

[edit] Other Notable Pieces

See also Music for a Large Ensemble, Tehillim, Octet, Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ, Piano Phase, The Desert Music.

[edit] External links

• SteveReich.com MP3 of the opening through section II available under Multimedia: MP3
• Boosey&Hawkes entry (includes composer's notes).