Aveline Kirana
Soundstreams embarks on its 44th season with a monumental tribute to one of contemporary music’s most influential figures, composer Steve Reich. The concert, aptly titled "Celebrating Steve Reich at 90," will mark the esteemed composer’s ninth decade with a program designed to showcase his groundbreaking contributions and enduring legacy. This significant event is scheduled for October 6th at the acoustically renowned Koerner Hall in Toronto, a venue that has become a cornerstone for presenting cutting-edge classical and contemporary music.
The centerpiece of the evening will be the highly anticipated North American premiere of Reich’s newest work, "In All Your Ways." This commission represents a global collaboration among some of the world’s most prestigious musical institutions, underscoring Reich’s continued relevance and the international demand for his compositions. The extensive list of co-commissioners includes the Barbican Centre, Carnegie Hall, Cal Performances, the Philharmonie de Paris, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Grafenegg Festival, the Helsinki Festival, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and the NTR ZaterdagMatinee, among others. This impressive consortium highlights the widespread recognition of Reich’s artistic vision and the profound impact his music has on global concert halls. The world premiere of "In All Your Ways" is slated for August 28th at the Edinburgh International Festival, followed by a series of performances across major international venues, including Amsterdam, Carnegie Hall, Cal Performances, the Barbican Centre, the Philharmonie de Paris, and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Toronto performance at Koerner Hall will serve as a crucial stop on this international tour, bringing a new and significant work to North American audiences for the first time.
Beyond the premiere, the concert will also commemorate a landmark anniversary in Reich’s career: the 50th year of his seminal work, "Music for 18 Musicians." This piece, often cited as a defining example of minimalism, has profoundly influenced generations of composers and performers. Its inclusion in the program offers a direct connection to a foundational moment in Reich’s oeuvre, allowing audiences to experience the enduring power of a work that has shaped the soundscape of contemporary music. The program further promises a unique and innovative presentation of "Clapping Music," another iconic minimalist composition. This rendition will feature a hybrid format, merging live performance with recorded media. Renowned percussionist Russell Hartenberger will perform one part of the piece live on stage, while a filmed segment will showcase Steve Reich himself performing the other part. This filmed component, conceived by acclaimed filmmaker Atom Egoyan, was recorded by Soundstreams in Los Angeles in 2023, adding a layer of visual artistry and personal connection to the performance. The choice of Egoyan, an artist known for his evocative and often introspective cinematic style, suggests a thoughtful approach to capturing Reich’s presence and the inherent performative nature of "Clapping Music."
The ensemble assembled for this tribute is a testament to the calibre of musicians dedicated to celebrating Reich’s music. The concert will be led by conductor Gary Kulesha, a distinguished figure in Canadian contemporary music. The intricate and often demanding instrumental parts will be brought to life by a roster of accomplished performers. Flutists Jeffrey Stonehouse and Stephen Tam, violinists Noa Sarid and Astrid Nakamura, violist Ronen Shifron, and cellist Joanne Yesol Choi will form the core string and wind section. The piano parts, crucial to Reich’s textural and rhythmic explorations, will be handled by Gregory Oh, Stephanie Chua, Midori Koga, and Wesley Shen. The vocal contributions will be provided by sopranos Xin Wang and Lindsay McIntyre, and mezzo soprano Andrea Ludwig. The percussive heart of Reich’s music will be powerfully represented by Russell Hartenberger and Bob Becker, both legendary members of the percussion ensemble Nexus and long-standing collaborators with Steve Reich. They will be joined by a formidable array of percussionists: Aiyun Huang, Ryan Scott, Michelle Colton, and Michael Murphy. The presence of Hartenberger and Becker is particularly significant, given their deep historical connection to Reich’s work.
Lawrence Cherney, Artistic Director of Soundstreams, articulated the organization’s profound connection to the composer. In an official press release, Cherney stated, "Soundstreams has been privileged to have had a long artistic and personal association with Steve, not only through frequent Toronto appearances when he was still traveling internationally, but through the legendary Toronto based percussionists and members of Nexus, Russell Hartenberger and Bob Becker, both of whom have a career long association with him as members of the Steve Reich Ensemble." This statement underscores a multi-faceted relationship that extends beyond mere programming to encompass personal mentorship and a shared history of artistic endeavor. Soundstreams’ commitment to Reich’s music is clearly rooted in a deep understanding and appreciation of his creative process and his impact on the musical landscape.
The presentation of "Celebrating Steve Reich at 90" is further strengthened by a collaboration with the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto. This partnership not only provides institutional support but also offers an invaluable educational dimension to the event. Students and faculty from the University of Toronto will likely engage with the music and its context, fostering a new generation of artists and scholars who can continue to explore and interpret Reich’s significant body of work. Such collaborations are vital for the sustainability of contemporary music, ensuring that its traditions and innovations are passed on.
The Enduring Influence of Steve Reich
Steve Reich’s career, spanning over six decades, has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of sonic innovation. Born in 1936, he emerged as a pivotal figure in the development of minimalism, a movement that sought to strip away unnecessary complexity and focus on elemental musical processes. His early works, such as "It’s Gonna Rain" (1965) and "Come Out" (1966), utilized tape loops and phase shifting to create hypnotic, repetitive textures that challenged traditional notions of musical structure and duration. These experiments laid the groundwork for his later orchestral and chamber works, which retained the core principles of repetition, phasing, and gradual transformation while incorporating more complex instrumentation and harmonic development.
Reich’s influence extends far beyond the confines of academic music circles. His music has been embraced by popular culture, influencing genres from electronic dance music to film scores. The rhythmic drive and intellectual rigor of his compositions resonate with a broad audience, making him one of the most performed and influential living composers of classical music. His work often explores themes of process, perception, and the nature of time, inviting listeners to engage with music on a deeply visceral and intellectual level. The consistent quality and innovative spirit of his output have earned him numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2009 for his work "Double Sextet."
A Chronology of Celebration
The concert at Koerner Hall on October 6th is the culmination of a series of events and achievements that underscore Reich’s prolific career and his ongoing impact.
- 1965-1966: Early minimalist experiments like "It’s Gonna Rain" and "Come Out" emerge, showcasing tape loop and phasing techniques.
- 1971: Formation of the Steve Reich Ensemble, a key vehicle for the performance of his works, featuring musicians like Russell Hartenberger and Bob Becker.
- 1973: Premiere of "Music for 18 Musicians," a seminal work that solidifies Reich’s minimalist aesthetic and becomes a touchstone for the genre.
- 2023: Soundstreams conceives and records the filmed segment of Steve Reich performing "Clapping Music" with Atom Egoyan’s creative input, in preparation for future performances.
- August 28, 2024: World premiere of "In All Your Ways" at the Edinburgh International Festival, marking the beginning of its international tour.
- October 6, 2024: Soundstreams presents "Celebrating Steve Reich at 90" at Koerner Hall in Toronto, featuring the North American premiere of "In All Your Ways" and a special hybrid performance of "Clapping Music."
- Ongoing: Performances of "In All Your Ways" continue at prestigious venues worldwide throughout the fall and winter.
Supporting Data and Context
The extensive list of co-commissioners for "In All Your Ways" is not merely a formality; it represents a significant investment in new musical creation and a testament to the global demand for Reich’s work. Each of these institutions, from the Barbican Centre in London to Carnegie Hall in New York and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is a major cultural hub that shapes musical trends and audiences. The fact that they have collectively supported this new work signifies its perceived importance within the contemporary classical music landscape. The financial commitment involved in such commissions often runs into tens of thousands of dollars, reflecting the significant resources dedicated to bringing new compositions to life.
The 50th anniversary of "Music for 18 Musicians" is a date of considerable historical weight. Premiered in April 1973, the piece revolutionized musical composition by focusing on sustained harmonic pulses, rhythmic cycles, and subtle shifts in texture and timbre. Its duration of about an hour, divided into sections, challenged conventional concert formats and invited a different mode of listening. The fact that it remains a staple of contemporary music programming fifty years later speaks volumes about its artistic merit and its ability to captivate audiences. Its influence can be seen in the works of composers across genres, from Philip Glass and Terry Riley to contemporary electronic musicians.
The hybrid presentation of "Clapping Music" is an innovative approach to a piece that relies on precise rhythmic interplay. Composed in 1972, "Clapping Music" is notable for its simplicity, using only the percussive sound of clapping hands. Its structure involves two performers starting with a simple rhythmic pattern and then gradually shifting their phases relative to each other, creating complex polyrhythms. The inclusion of Reich himself in the filmed segment adds a personal and historical dimension, allowing audiences to witness the composer’s direct engagement with his own creation. The decision to have Russell Hartenberger perform live alongside the filmed Reich creates a dynamic dialogue between past and present, between the recorded artist and the live performer.
Official Responses and Artistic Vision
Lawrence Cherney’s statement provides crucial insight into Soundstreams’ long-standing relationship with Steve Reich. The mention of "frequent Toronto appearances when he was still traveling internationally" suggests a history of bringing Reich to the city and fostering a local appreciation for his work. Furthermore, his reference to Russell Hartenberger and Bob Becker’s "career long association with him as members of the Steve Reich Ensemble" highlights a deep-seated connection that transcends the typical presenter-composer relationship. This implies that Soundstreams has been instrumental in nurturing and sustaining a community of musicians in Toronto who are intimately familiar with Reich’s music and performance practices. This level of engagement suggests a commitment to not just programming but also to the deep understanding and perpetuation of an artist’s legacy.
While specific reactions from other commissioning institutions were not detailed in the initial release, it is reasonable to infer that such global musical powerhouses are driven by a desire to support living composers of significant stature and to present groundbreaking new works to their respective audiences. The collective investment in "In All Your Ways" signifies a shared belief in Reich’s continued creative vitality and the artistic significance of his latest composition. The success of the world premiere in Edinburgh will undoubtedly generate further anticipation for the North American premiere in Toronto and subsequent performances.
Broader Impact and Implications
The "Celebrating Steve Reich at 90" concert holds several significant implications for the contemporary music scene, both in Toronto and on a broader international scale. Firstly, it underscores the continued relevance and artistic output of composers who have shaped the musical landscape for decades. In an era often characterized by rapid stylistic shifts, Reich’s enduring influence demonstrates the power of a consistent and deeply personal artistic vision.
Secondly, the premiere of "In All Your Ways" is a crucial event for contemporary classical music. The support of numerous major international institutions signals the work’s importance and its potential to become another cornerstone of Reich’s repertoire. The global tour ensures that a significant new composition reaches a wide audience, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange.
Thirdly, the innovative presentation of "Clapping Music" highlights the evolving ways in which music can be experienced. The integration of film and live performance, especially with the composer’s participation, offers new avenues for artistic expression and audience engagement. This approach could inspire other artists and presenters to explore similar hybrid formats, pushing the boundaries of traditional concert experiences.
Finally, the collaboration with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music emphasizes the importance of education in the perpetuation of contemporary music. By involving academic institutions, Soundstreams is not only presenting music but also fostering the next generation of musicians, critics, and scholars who will carry Reich’s legacy forward. This investment in the future ensures that the impact of composers like Steve Reich will continue to resonate for decades to come. The concert at Koerner Hall, therefore, is more than just a birthday celebration; it is a vibrant affirmation of a living legend’s enduring influence and a forward-looking statement about the future of music.
