- Double Sextet
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Performance of Double Sextet in Russia
Double Sextet is a composition by Steve Reich scored for two sextets of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, vibraphone and piano.[1] It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music,[2] the first for the composer.[3] The piece was commissioned by Eighth Blackbird, who performed the premiere of the piece in 2008, at the University of Richmond in Virginia.
Structure
Double Sextet is in three movements, lasting about 22 minutes in its entirety:
- Fast
- Slow
- Fast
The piece is strongly driven by the two pianos and the two vibraphones, marking out each phrase and key change, particularly in the fast movements. Within each movement are four harmonic sections in the keys of D, F, A♭ and B (or their relative minors), similar to many of Reich's works; the reason being that the sections eventually return to the original key.[4]
The interlocking piano rhythm themes occur throughout the piece. The pianos interlock, creating the effect of constant eighth-note chords.
Performance
The piece is either played by 12 musicians in total (2 sextets) or one sextet and tape, playing against a recording of themselves, the latter being more popular due to less demand for space and players.
The piece has been recorded by Eighth Blackbird[1] and was released on CD on September 14, 2010 along with 2x5.
References
- ^ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103304036
- ^ http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2009-Music
- ^ Walls (2009 April 24) Seth Colter. "Steve Reich on Winning the Pulitzer for 'Double Sextet'" Newsweek
- ^ http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/sound_insights/works/commissions/art_detail_DoubleSextet_commissions.html
Works by Steve Reich 1960s It's Gonna Rain (1965) · Come Out (1966) · Piano Phase (1967) · Violin Phase (1967) · Pendulum Music (1968)
1970s Four Organs (1970) · Drumming (1970–1971) · Clapping Music (1972) · Six Pianos (1973) · Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ (1973) · Music for 18 Musicians (1974–1976) · Music for a Large Ensemble (1978) · Octet (1979) · Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards (1979)
1980s Tehillim (1981) · Vermont Counterpoint (1982) · Eight Lines (1983) · The Desert Music (1984) · Sextet (1984) · New York Counterpoint (1985) · Three Movements (1986) · The Four Sections (1987) · Electric Counterpoint (1987) · Different Trains (1988)
1990s The Cave (1993) · City Life (1994) · Proverb (1995) · Triple Quartet (1998) · Three Tales (1998–2002)
2000s Cello Counterpoint (2003) · Daniel Variations (2006) · Double Sextet (2007) · 2x5 (2008) · Mallet Quartet (2009)
2010s WTC 9/11 (2010)
Categories:- Compositions by Steve Reich
- Chamber music compositions
- Pulitzer Prize for Music
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