Steve Reich
Early Life and Education
Steve Reich was born on October 3, 1936, in New York City. His parents, Leonard and June Reich, were both Broadway lyricists and composers. Reich's early exposure to music came from his parents, who would often play recordings of jazz and classical music in their home.
Reich attended Cornell University, where he studied philosophy and music. He was particularly interested in the works of Bach and Stravinsky. After graduating in 1957, Reich moved to San Francisco to study composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He later attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under renowned composers Bergsma and Persichetti.
Career and Musical Style
Reich's early works, such as "It's Gonna Rain" (1965) and "Come Out" (1966), were characterized by the use of phasing, a technique in which the same part (a repetitive phrase) is played on two musical instruments, in steady but not identical tempo. This causes the two sounds to gradually shift out of unison, creating a unique, complex sound.
In the 1970s, Reich began to explore the use of minimalism in his compositions. His piece "Music for 18 Musicians" (1976) is considered a masterpiece of minimalist composition. The piece is based on a cycle of eleven chords, with each section of the piece exploring variations of these chords.
Reich's later works, such as "Different Trains" (1988) and "City Life" (1995), incorporated recorded speech and environmental sounds, a technique known as musique concrète. These pieces also demonstrated Reich's interest in themes of urban life and the human experience.
Influence and Legacy
Reich's innovative use of phasing and minimalism has had a significant influence on a wide range of musicians and composers. His techniques have been adopted by a variety of musical genres, including electronic, ambient, and art rock.
Reich has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2009, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his piece "Double Sextet". In 2012, he was named Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of France's highest cultural honors.