After majoring in Philosophy at Cornell University, Steve Reich studied music at the Juilliard School and Mills College under artists like Darius Milhaud and Luciano Berio. In 1965 and 1966 respectively, Reich released the tape music pieces It’s Gonna Rain and Come Out. In 1966, he formed his ensemble “Steve Reich and Musicians” with which he has been performing all over the world. 1991 marked his first visit to Japan, with concerts held in Tokyo and Osaka. In 1997, together with filmmaker Beryl Korot, Reich created the multimedia opera The Cave about the complex relationship between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The piece was also performed in Tokyo. An exceptional contemporary composer, Steve Reich continues to inspire and stimulate a wide range of art beyond the confines of music.

Focusing on Double Sextet and Different Trains, Aichi 2022 will shine a new light on the masterpieces of Steve Reich, which have deep connections with many different musical styles reaching as far back as the middle ages, as well as conceptual and visual art and contemporary dance. The concert, performed by an ensemble of talented Japanese musicians who revere Steve Reich’s work, will offer the audience a perfect experience of Reich’s musicality and contemporarity.

*Steve Reich will not be present in person

Selected Works & Awards

2009

Pulitzer Prize for Music for Double Sextet, USA

2006

18th Praemium Imperiale Arts Award for Music, Japan

1990

Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for Different Trains, Grammy Awards, USA

• Photo: Jeffrey Herman