Thursday, September 8, 2011
Video: Steve Reich Talks to New York Times About "WTC 9/11"
Steve Reich is featured in a new New York Times video that is part of a series of videos from the Times looking at artists' responses to the tragic events September 11, 2001. In the video, Reich, whose new piece, WTC 9/11, reflects on the World Trade Center attacks, talks with the Times' Daniel J. Wakin about how he came to write the piece and how he developed its form, pairing three string quartets with pre-recorded voices whose final vowels and consonants are elongated. Those voices belong to NORAD air traffic controllers, as they raised the alert that the airplanes were off course; FDNY workers on the scene; friends and former neighbors of the Reichs, recalling that day; and women who kept vigil, or Shmira, over the dead in a tent outside the Medical Examiner's office, reading Psalms or Biblical passages. In the New York Times video, Reich also addresses the impact of art in the face of such monumental events.
Watch the video here:
Nonesuch releases Reich’s new album, WTC 9/11 on September 20, 2011. The title piece, commissioned for and recorded by Kronos Quartet, is now available as a digital EP. The album, which also includes Reich’s Mallet Quartet, performed by Sō Percussion, and Dance Patterns, featuring members of Steve Reich and Musicians, as well as a DVD with a live performance of Mallet Quartet by Sō Percussion, may be pre-ordered now in the Nonesuch Store. Pre-orders include an download of the title piece now and a full album download on September 20.
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Not only do I adore this man's music, but I also appreciate hearing him speak because he always has something interesting to say. So often artists have these exaggerated and idealistic points of view and it's so refreshing to hear someone like this who is grounded in reality. It makes me like him even more.
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