Performance Practice in the Music of Steve Reich

Russell Hartenberger

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781107151505
• eBook ISBN: 9781316777640
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music

Performance Practice in the Music of Steve Reich provides a performer's perspective on Steve Reich's compositions from his iconic minimalist work, Drumming, to his masterpiece, Music for 18 Musicians. It addresses performance issues encountered by the musicians in Reich's original ensemble and the techniques they developed to bring his compositions to life. Drawing comparisons with West African drumming and other non-Western music, the book highlights ideas that are helpful in the understanding and performance of rhythm in all pulse-based music. Through conversations and interviews with the author, Reich discusses his percussion background and his thoughts about rhythm in relation to the music of Ghana, Bali, India, and jazz. He explains how he used rhythm in his early compositions, the time feel he wants in his music, the kind of performer who seems to be drawn to his music, and the way perceptual and metrical ambiguity create interest in repetitive music.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Series information
• Title page
• Copyright information
• Dedication
• Table of contents
• List of figures
• List of music examples
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1 Drumming, early days
• 2 Percussion and Drumming
• 3 The process of composing Drumming
• 4 Drumming, Part I
• 5 Drumming, Part II
• 6 Drumming, Part III
• 7 Drumming, Part IV
• 8 Acoustics of Drumming
• 9 Anatomy of a phase
• 10 Performance practice in Drumming
• 11 Clapping Music
• 12 Music for Pieces of Wood
• 13 Six Pianos
• 14 Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ
• 15 Music for 18 Musicians
• 16 Inside rhythm
• Bibliography
• Index