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

Steve Reich: The soul of minimalism

Extra Eclectic - March 15, 2023

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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

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