Steve Reich - Octet • Music For A Large Ensemble • Violin Phase

Not only are these Steve Reich’s scores amongst the most important American orchestral pieces ever written, the New York recordings of Music for a Large Ensemble and Octet featured on this classic ECM recording are also outstanding. 

I can’t think of anything clever to say about this record. I imagine there are still some people who never heard Steve Reich’s music before. To be honest, I truly hope someone who never heard Steve Reich read these lines, even if I don’t feel smart writing them… Anyway, To this person who’s about to discover Steve Reich, I’d like to say that Music for a Large Ensemble and Octet might be the best entry points to one of the greatest American composers, and add that it might be a life-changing experience...

Violin Phase is a diametrically different exercise in minimalism that somehow perfectly balances  the two lush ensemble pieces: a dry tape manipulation of a violin solo.

Three masterpieces on one perfect record. (pristine US pressing NM/NM)

Tracklist

1. Music For A Large Ensemble 
2. Violin Phase
3.  Octet