In his 1976 work Music for 18 Musicians, Steve Reich composed a minimalist masterpiece. He needed just eleven chords to compose a pulsating, hypnotic score in which the elements constantly return, always slightly altered.
Musicians from the Vlaams Radiokoor, Brussels Philharmonic and Ictus take you on a riveting journey of discovery through subtly shifting textures, sounds and rhythms. Unlike reruns on television: Reich's repetitive music never gets old.
Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians, nearly half a century old, remains a spellbinding marvel of minimalism. This work weaves together a rich tapestry of sounds—from the rhythmic pulses mimicking a strobe light to the serene shifts of harmonies and vocal improvisations, it’s an auditory journey from tranquility to trance.
At its core, Music for 18 Musicians is a showcase of minimalist beauty, revealing the power of simplicity in music. Its premiere in 1976 marked a milestone, affirming minimalism's lasting impact on the music world. This summer, experience the magic of Reich's pioneering work, a timeless testament to the enduring appeal of minimal music.
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Walden Festival is an initiative from the founders of Klarafestival. The concept? Enjoying music in all its diversity on various stages in and around Brussels’ Leopold Park, the green heart of the European Quarter. Get ready for an adventurous summer festival for young and old alike!
> more info on www.waldenfestival.be
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Composer’s note
“Audible cures become part of the music and allow the musicians to keep listening.” Read the composer’s note by Steve Reich.
readSteve Reich goes global
From African percussion and Indonesian gamelan to Hebrew cantillation: discover it all in the music of Steve Reich through the long read by Rebecca Diependaele.
readPodcast: Steve Reich & Perotinus
Steve Reich recalls the first time he heard the music of Pérotin, without whose influence some of his music “never would have happened”.
listen to podcastArticle Alex Ross
“The greatness of Steve Reich is a given. His reputation as a prime originator in contemporary music is more or less etched in stone.” Read the article by Alex Ross.
readpractical
This concert takes place at location Museum, the main stage of Walden Festival: the garden next to the Musum of Natural Sciences. > more info
As an event for the whole family, Walden Festival is open to everyone! Tickets for children under 16 are free. > more info
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