Poster Composer Steve Reich
Steve Reich
Photo: Wonge Bergmann
Extra Eclectic

Steve Reich: The soul of minimalism

Extra Eclectic - March 15, 2023

A new CD of the complete string quartets of Steve Reich inspires Extra Eclectic host Steve Seel to bring us a full hour of the great 20th-century minimalist composers: Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams. As part of the program, Seel shares selections from Reich's quartet Different Trains, the entirety of WTC 9/11, as well as clips from his interview with Steve Reich about the new recording. In the second hour, it's the opposite of minimalism, as we hear modern composers embracing romanticism — including Aaron Jay Kernis' Musica Celestis and Jennifer Higdon's Viola Concerto.

Episode Playlist

Duet
Steve Reich (Composer)
Daniel Hope (Conductor)
My Tribute to Yehudi Menuhin (Album)
Basel Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Daniel Hope, Violin (Soloist)
Duration: 4:52

Facades
Philip Glass (Composer)
Christopher Warren-Green (Conductor)
Power (Album)
London Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
John Harle, Saxophone (Soloist)
Duration: 7:47

Different Trains: After the War
Steve Reich (Composer)
Steve Reich: The String Quartets (Album)
Mivos Quartet (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 10:23

Tromba Lontana
John Adams (Composer)
John Adams (Conductor)
Adams: Tromba Lontana, Violin Concerto, The Wound-Dresser (Album)
BBC Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Gareth Bimson, Trumpet (Soloist)
Duration: 4:07

Wtc 9/11
Steve Reich (Composer)
Steve Reich: The String Quartets (Album)
Mivos Quartet (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 15:44

Magnificat
Caleb Burhans (Composer)
Caleb Burhans: Evensong (Album)
Choir Of Trinity Church, Wall Street (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Caleb Burhans, Organ (Soloist)
Duration: 5:43

Inflection Point
Margaret Hermant/Neil Leiter/Gary De Cart (Composer)
The See Within (Album)
Echo Collective (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 4:31

Musica Celestis
Aaron Jay Kernis (Composer)
Eiji Oue (Conductor)
Kernis: Colored Field, Musica Celestis, Air (Album)
Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 12:22

Viola Concerto
Jennifer Higdon (Composer)
Giancarlo Guerrero (Conductor)
Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic (Album)
Nashville Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Roberto Diaz, Viola (Soloist)
Duration: 21:45

Night Peace
John Luther Adams (Composer)
John Luther Adams: The Far Country (Album)
Atlanta Singers (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 14:46

Steve Reich's string quartets are like no others

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

Hitting the road

Hitting the road

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we’re getting a head start on the biggest travel days of the year with contemporary pieces about getting from point A to point B on this edition of the show. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Voices of remarkable women

Voices of remarkable women

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel shares two hours of music by women composers. Highlights include Paola Presetini’s ‘Code,’ Reena Esmail’s ‘Black Iris’ and Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s stirring ‘Hear Us In Heaven.’

1:58:58
The sound of fall colors

The sound of fall colors

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we hear from Lithuanian composer Zibuokle Martinaityte (‘Autumn’ from her suite ‘Sielunmaisema’), Mary Lattimore (‘Pine Trees’), Jennifer Higdon (‘Autumn Music’), and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
A musical playground with guest host Bonnie North

A musical playground with guest host Bonnie North

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with guest host Bonnie North, Carlos Simon’s ‘Loop,’ Michael Daugherty’s ‘Bounce,’ and Karl Mitze’s ‘Seesaw’ are featured alongside the blazing Piano Concerto by Mason Bates. Listen now!

1:58:57
Guest host Valerie Kahler features Needham’s ‘Shades of Green’
1:58:59
What goes around comes around

What goes around comes around

On this week's Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel showcases modern works that use rounds and "looping" phrases in their structure, as well as music that celebrates the fall season with modern works that have an autumnal air. Listen now!

1:58:59
The tonal 20th century

The tonal 20th century

After the “12-tone” school obliterated traditional ideas of harmony during the 20th century, a younger generation of composers brought conventional harmonic notions back. Host Steve Seel features music by Philip Glass, Julie Mandel and more on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
Sounds for an autumn night

Sounds for an autumn night

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Toru Takemitsu’s ‘A String Around Autumn’ is the centerpiece of an hour that sets the tone for the coming of fall, with additional music by Xavi Torres and Michael Harrison. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:57
Women composers bring the fire

Women composers bring the fire

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel features a selection from Julia Wolfe’s ‘Fire in My Mouth’ in an hour devoted to contemporary women composers, which also showcases music by Meredith Monk, Paola Prestini, Gala Flagello and more. Listen now!

1:58:59
A celebration of Black composers

A celebration of Black composers

Julius Eastman’s Symphony No. 2 (‘The Faithful Friend: The Lover Friend’s Loe for the Beloved’) is this week’s ‘Extra Eclectic’ highlight from the 2024 BBC Proms Festival and it kicks off an hour of works by African-American composers from the 20th and 21st centuries. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:56
VIEW ALL EPISODES