Steve Reich

Composer Steve Reich, a pioneer of minimalism, marks his 90th birthday, drawing tributes and listening recommendations from classical and electronic music fans. Admirers are highlighting landmark works such as the 1966 tape piece 'Come Out' and 'Electric Counterpoint', with some radio shows and playlists built around his catalogue this weekend.

Minimalist composer Steve Reich, who turns 90, is speaking about continuing to create music into his tenth decade. The interview comes as celebrations of his landmark birthday draw attention to a career spanning more than half a century, including works like Music for 18 Musicians and Different Trains that reshaped contemporary classical music.

The British ensemble Paraorchestra is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steve Reich's landmark minimalist work "Music for 18 Musicians." The anniversary has prompted attention to the piece's enduring influence on contemporary music and to Paraorchestra's inclusive approach, as the ensemble integrates disabled and non-disabled musicians in performances of the canonical score.

Pioneering minimalist composer Steve Reich turns 90, prompting tributes and retrospectives of his career. The Quietus has published a feature by Sean Kitching offering ten points of entry into Reich's back catalogue, marking the birthday with a survey of his most essential works. The milestone has readers revisiting compositions like his early tape and phase pieces that helped define minimalism.

Fans of minimalist music are marking Steve Reich's birthday, pointing newcomers to his classic Terry Gross interview on NPR's Fresh Air, which touches on his compositional career, humor, and his Psalms and cantorial influences. Listeners are recommending the conversation as a warm way to revisit the work of one of America's most influential living composers.