Steve Reich: The Four Sections; Music for Mallet Instrments, Voices and Organ

Three strange things:1. I first went looking for this on iTunes and was disappointed to find that the first movement of The Four Sections was not available.2. So I went to Amazon, ordered the CD, and was told to download the MP3. This contained all of The Four Sections, but did not contain the Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ.3. I put the CD into the iMac to download all five tracks into iTunes. The five tracks all appear as having been downloaded. But only The Four Sections appears in the Music Library, and when I sync my iPhone, only The Four Seasons is replicated there.What gives?Despite these issues, the music itself is terrific. Reich provides the liner notes for the CD.

I love Reich's music and was looking forward to hearing a different version of the Music For Mallet Instruments etc. that is on this album. The problem is, the downloaded mp3 version of this album only contains "The Four Sections." The Music for Mallet Instruments is not on the mp3 album, even though we're paying the full album price and the piece is included in the album title.

IMHB, this is a good introduction to Reich: big, hypnotizing, rhythms. For those who don't necessarily consider themselves classical music lovers, you might be surprised by how modern and yet familiar The Four Sections sound.

I heard Reich (this piece) for the first time last night performed by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. It was beautiful, soul-nourishing, body-moving, sense-filling, mind-stimulating and everything I can think of that defines great music. I am not a classical enthusiast although I do listen to it occasionally--but I never heard anything quite like this. The closest thing in my own listening history that I can compare it to would be certain music produced by Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and the like. Judging by the crowd response last night, Reich's music was either loved or totally unappreciated. That's understandable given how different it is from what our ears are used to. But I loved it.

The "full orchestra" version was used on the finale of "So You Think You Can Dance" and worked beautifully with Mia Michael's choreography for Kayla and Jeannine, the eventual winner of SYTYCD. I'm not sure how long the dance will be posted on youtube. Better take a look!

A CD intended as an audience-pleaser. Both pieces are Steve Reich saying "Thank you" to his fans & trying to win over a few more, while also advancing his ideas. Four Sections was composed for Michael Tilson Thomas, so this performace will always be the root definitive. That the London Symphony Orchestra performed it so beautifully, as part of a Reich retrospective in 1988 was also a statement.Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices & Organ (1973), composed for Reich's own popular ensemble, casts an exotic spell; African drumming through the sort of gamelan some imaginary Pythagoreans might have played if they had those kinds of bands. Wonderful, delicate music.In both works the changes happen fast enough & the music is over almost before you can say "minimalism."

This is a very approachable and enjoyable work. The music develops and textures build subtly and relentlessly throughout, and there is a compelling drive that leads you through the work.

This is not background music, one needs to really listen for the subtle changes of mood, tempo and tones - Steve Reich at his very best.

Prima en snelle service!

Das Werk The Four Sections gehört zu den überzeugendsten Arbeiten Steve Reichs. Da ich Music for 18 Musicians zu seinen besten Werken zähle überzeugt The Four Section durch die klare Kontur (Four Sections). Die Einspielung durch das LSO mit Michael Tilson Thomas aus dem Jahre 1990 dürfte nach wie vor als Referenz gelten.