quote:

Originally posted by odysseyandoracle:
I just found out that Steve Reich is coming here next week for our (James Madison University) annual Contemporary Music Festival. I've heard Reich's name very often but never any of his music, and I like what I hear on YouTube. Anyone know of any particular recordings I should get? I should note that I abhor Philip Glass (although to be fair all I've heard are the soundtracks from the -qatsi movies) but I've heard excerpts from "Eight Lines" and "Music for 18 Musicians" and both sound pretty groovy.

In any case, if anyone still reads this forum and lives in the area you should definitely consider coming for some or all of the concerts, which Reich will also be speaking before. From my own limited understanding Reich is at the very top of the class for contemporary composers. Here's some more information about the series - http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general9543.shtml

quote:

Originally posted by odysseyandoracle:
Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

I've listened to Music for 18 Musicians several times in the past couple days, and I have to say that it blows me away. I never expected that it would be so damn epic. Certainly a very different breed of minimalism from Glass.

I also listened to Different Trains and Drumming. Both were extremely good, though I felt Drumming could have been shorter, especially the first part. I have yet to give Electric Counterpoint a real listen but I will soon.

Based on all this I'm really enthused about this week. My previous perception of 20th century classical music was that most everything beyond Gershwin, Copland, and the Russians was either unlistenably dissonant and mathematical (Schoenberg, serialism) or unlistenably boring and random (Cage, Stockhausen). Maybe someone here should start a beginner's guide to contemporary classical music like the ones we've seen on some other boards.

quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Black:
You'd have to buy Different Trains anyway. It's on the same album as Electric Counterpoint!

Two very good pieces. Essential listening.