MetaChat - Steve Reich:

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18 September 2008

Steve Reich: Piano Phase, with really cool choreography. Check out what's happening with the center shadow, and how it corresponds to the phasing in the music.→[More:] There's also a part 2, but the dance doesn't use the "phase" idea and isn't as cool, IMO.

Here's Reich talking about using phase in music, and about "Piano Phase" in particular.

post by: BoringPostcards at: 09:00 | 6 comments

Awesome. The choreography and the music go really well together.

Needs more cowbell though.
/inevitable obnoxious comment

posted by Hellbient 18 September | 10:03

I want to become more of a Reich fan. I like polyrhythms and jazz instruments. Any recommendations?

posted by box 18 September | 10:07

Probably the best introduction to Reich is "Music For 18 Musicians"... there are a couple of recordings of it out there, one newer, one older, and they're both good. (A lot of purists prefer the old one, of course, but never mind them.)

Also, "Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ" is a great one. Both of these give you lots of polyrhythms, and cool phase effects.

I'm drawing a blank on anything involving jazz instruments except for a cut I have of Pat Metheny adapting "Violin Phase" to an electric guitar (it's called "Guitar Phase" if you want to look around for it).

I can hook you up with any of this stuff if you're interested, once I get home. Email me if you like.

posted by BoringPostcards 18 September | 10:20

I've got a record called Six Marimbas, or something like that, that I rather enjoy, but that's as far as it's gone.

Thanks, BP.

posted by box 18 September | 10:37

I'm not particularly a fan of minimalism, but I think it gains a lot from being coupled to a visual art form like this.

posted by Wolfdog 18 September | 11:01

"Piano Phase" is one of my favorite pieces of his.

There are some amazing radio shows on Reich (and others) archived at the KPFA "Other Minds" collection at Archive.org.

posted by mykescipark 18 September | 11:25

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