Groundbreaking concert to be staged at the Corn Exchange
The concert, entitled ‘Steve Reich at 80’, which takes place tomorrow Tuesday (8 November), will see a stage set up at the venue that has never been attempted previously. There will be four Steinway concert grand pianos on stage surrounded by marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, strings, clarinets and four vocalists to create a mesmerising musical arrangement of pulsing rhythms, shifting patterns and long-breathed phrases.
Steve Reich’s place in the world of minimalist music is assured. Described as 'the Godfather of Minimalist Music’, the American composer, along with the likes of Philip Glass and Terry Riley paved the way for the musical form in the 1960s.
Considered a musical genius and legend, The Guardian recently said of him ‘There's just a handful of living composers who can legitimately claim to have altered the direction of musical history and Steve Reich is one of them.’ This concert is part of the celebration of his 80th birthday.
The concert at the Corn Exchange is part of the Cambridge Music Festival. Originally created in 1991 to mark the bi-centenary of Mozart’s death, the Festival has since grown over the years originally under the steer of artistic director Gillian Perkins and latterly under the direction of Justin Lee, to be a much-loved and critically acclaimed staple of the city’s cultural calendar.
This year's Festival features other world-class musicians such as pianist Murray Perahia with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the tenor Ian Bostridge singing Schubert, and Cambridge's finest choirs in choral spectaculars including Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius'.
In addition to performing the concert Steve Reich will also undertake a free pre-concert talk, in conversation with percussionist Colin Currie. The event begins with a performance of Reich's 'Music for Pieces of Wood', and will end with a chance to ask questions from the floor.
Steve Bagnall, Managing Director of Cambridge Live said “It is always a great pleasure to be working with Justin and the Cambridge Music Festival to bring some of the world’s greatest musicians to the City.”
Justin Lee, Artistic Director of Cambridge Music Festival said “'it is a real coup for Cambridge to attract Steve Reich, the world's most influential composer, to the Festival. This is just another of the ambitious projects that have been made possible by working with Steve and everyone at Cambridge Live.'”
Steve Reich at 80 takes place on Tuesday 8 November, with a limited number of tickets still available from www.cornex.co.uk (£42.75, £36.75, £26.75).
Image: Steve Reich Credit: Wonge Bergmann
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