Decisive, committed and compelling: Steve Reich in London

The Greek composer's centenary is marked by the London Sinfonietta, Colin Currie Group and the JACK Quartet. 

A mesmerising all-Reich programme by the Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals produced lustrous textures and sonorous tones, culminating in the astonishing Music for 18 Musicians.

Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals showcase seminal works by Steve Reich: Music for Pieces of Wood (1973), Quartet (2013), & Music for 18 Musicians (1974-76)

Colin Currie's all Reich programme included a world première, the Quartet for two pianos and two vibraphones, but the newer works were overshadowed by his epic 1985 Sextet.

The Southbank’s The Rest is Noise continues to draw the crowds, although the promise of Steve Reich himself can’t have made this concert too hard to sell. Reich’s own contribution to this evening, the culmination of a weekend of music and events entitled “Superpower”, was limited to some clapping and letting go of a microphone.