Day 10

Hello! Two Videos & Two PDF’s for Two-day.

Downloads:
Two things for today :)

Fatigue evaluator
10-day check-in

Today’s Recommended Listening:

Steve Reich (b. 1936)
Music for 18 Musicians
Brad Lubman conducting Ensemble Signal
[Spotify] - 60 minutes

Ah, the chamber orchestra. Since Reich wrote this piece in the 70’s, 18-piece conducted chamber ensembles have become increasingly common. But this piece, written by the minimalist Steve Reich, was recently called the most important work of the last 100 years. It’s just stunning and every musician I talk to has a different favorite moment or two, as one pattern emerges into the next. We all also have our favorite recording. In this case, I will share my second-favorite recording but the one I probably think is the best, if that makes any sense? I grew up on a different one but this is strictly better.

Because it’s a minimalist work, the changes happen very slowly and it’s best listened to in its entirety - something that will take an hour. But, like Thom Yorke of Radiohead said, the experience of listening to something alone in a room is different than in a concert hall is different than on a train is different that walking around town is different than listening in your car. I personally love listening to this on a long walk to and from picking up a coffee and finishing it at the desk doing work with the coffee :)

What to explore next:

  1. Steve Reich - Cello Counterpoint [Ashley Bathgate]

  2. Steve Reich - Different Trains [Kronos Quartet]

  3. Lei Liang - Verge for 18 musicians [I’m on the Naxos recording, with Steve Schick conducting]

See you tomorrow!
—Eric