Steve Reich at 80: cross-section of an iconic career

By Phil Barrett, 07 November 2016

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“I was transfixed, fulfilling Reich's hope that a listener might be absorbed by the process”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 5 November 2016

Reich, Pendulum Music

Reich, Nagoya Guitars

Reich, Electric Counterpoint

Reich, Different Trains

Reich, Pulse (European Première)

Reich, Three Tales

Clark Rundell, Conductor

Dither, Electric guitars

Britten Sinfonia

Synergy Vocals

At Aldeburgh Festival, Nicholas Daniel plays the Pied Piper of Cool

Christopher Woodley, 13th June

For the Aldeburgh Festival's 75th anniversary celebrations, Daniel delivered a great performance of Vaughan Williams's Oboe Concerto, in the company of Gustav and Imogen Holst.

****1

Britten Sinfonia ablaze on the BBC Proms’ hottest night

Nick Boston, 6th September

Inventiveness, joyful performance and intuitive communication from Thomas Gould and the Britten Sinfonia in recompositions from Richter, Auerbach and Tippett.

*****

Donizetti's L’esule di Roma: a Roman triumph for Opera Rara

Dominic Lowe, 11th May

This is the 27th Donizetti opera given the Opera Rara treatment and their ability to spot a hidden gem remains as adroit as ever.

****1

Love and death in Scotland: Mercadante’s Il proscritto

David Karlin, 28th June

A great orchestral performance of an exciting score don't quite mask the dramatic weaknesses of Opera Rara's latest.

***11

Holst's Sāvitri: near-death experience in the Barbican

Roy Westbrook, 4th May

A game of three halves from the Britten Sinfonia, with a late appearance by three star soloists.

****1

Colin Currie conducts Reich/Richter at the Barbican

Benjamin Poore, 23rd October

A new collaboration from Gerhard Richter and Steve Reich tantalises and enthralls in London.

****1

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Phil Barrett

Phil is a radio professional working on content for BBC Radio 3 at Somethin' Else Productions and is also the presenter and producer of ‘Classical Cambridge’ on Cambridge 105. With a particular passion for Baroque music & Lieder, he can usually be found at the Wigmore Hall taking full advantage of their generous under-25s scheme. He is also committed to changing attitudes towards modern and contemporary music and hopes to champion young composers. He blogs at philbarrettlistens.wordpress.com