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New Sounds

Friday, September 12, 2008
  • Steve Reich
    Steve Reich (photo by Jeffrey Herman)

    Signal & Steve Reich

    For this edition of New Sounds, we’re joined by Brad Lubman, the leader of Signal, New York's new-music “supergroup,” a flexible army of 13-30 musicians who combine the intimacy of chamber music with the power of a compact orchestra. The bandsemble includes all of So Percussion, along with members of Alarm Will Sound, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, punkass-thrash jazz quartet Gutbucket, and other leading New York ensembles. Signal made their giant splash at this year’s Bang on a Can Marathon, performing music by Steve Reich. This weekend, the “supergroup” takes on Reich’s seminal “Music for 18 Musicians,” the magical shifting masterpiece of American minimalism where winds, strings, pianos, and percussion meld in ever-changing combinations, propelled by an irresistible pulsation. Also on the program is one of Reich’s more recent works, “You Are (Variations),” which will be heard for the first time locally with solo voices and ensemble (rather than chorus and ensemble). The 25-minute piece sets four aphoristic truisms from the Torah, the Talmud, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, and 18th-century mystic Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, whose saying, "You are wherever your thoughts are" gives the piece its title.

PROGRAM # 2844, with Brad Lubman of Signal (First aired on 9-12-08)

ARTIST(S)

RECORDING

CUT(S)

SOURCE

Signal

Live, Bang On A Can Marathon 2008, World Financial Center

Steve Reich: Daniel Variations, excerpt [1:30]

This performance not available. The piece is recorded on Nonesuch Records, www.nonesuch.com*

Signal

Live, June In Buffalo, 2007

Steve Reich: Tehillim, Pt 4 [6:00]

This performance not available. The piece is recorded on Nonesuch Records, www.nonesuch.com*

Steve Reich

Works (box set)

City Life: Heavy Smoke [6:00]

Nonesuch #79451** www.nonesuch.com*

Steve Reich

Ensemble Modern: City Life, et al

Eight Lines [16:30]

BMG Classics #66459** www.bmgclassics.de*

Michael Galasso

Scenes

Scene VI [7:30]

ECM #1245. www.ecmrecords.com*

Comments

  • [1] Carol Weinstein Karlin from teaneck, nj September 12, 2008 - 09:43AM

    I am new to the computer world and am trying to get some information on music I heard last night, THursday, Sept 11.

    It was from an Italian composer and was played around 11:15. The music was beyond beautiful and had tears in my eyes. Can you send me information about the artist, recording, etc..?

    Thanks


  • [2] Patrick from New Jersey September 12, 2008 - 11:27AM

    It was probably "Divenire" by Ludovico Einaudi, as your description describes it perfectly.


  • [3] Dennis Vogel from New Jersey September 12, 2008 - 10:32PM

    The playlist is here http://www.wnyc.org/shows/newsounds/episodes/2008/09/11 as well as a link to listen to the program to hear John's intro to the piece you're interested in.


  • [4] Dennis Vogel from New Jersey September 12, 2008 - 10:34PM

    I just noticed that the link I included in my earlier post was truncated. Just go to the top of this page and click the "Previous Episode" button to get where you want to go.


  • [5] BC September 13, 2008 - 01:08PM

    I heard Mr. Schaefer mention last night that podcasts are now available. My prayers have been answered. Way to go, New Sounds team!


  • [6] New Sounds Legal Intern from new york September 15, 2008 - 12:53PM

    New Sounds has indeed started podcasting - Glad we could answer your prayers! Thanks for the kind words and for listening! Stay tuned for more...


  • [7] Jonathan P from London, UK September 22, 2008 - 06:27PM

    Dear New Sounds,

    I have no problem playing other episodes, but for some reason this one refuses to play when I click "Listen to the whole show" above. Can you check that the link is working properly?

    Thank you!

    -Jonathan


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