Proverb (Reich)

"Proverb" is a musical composition by Steve Reich for three sopranos, two tenors, two vibraphones, and two electric organs. It is set to a text by Ludwig Wittgenstein. [Grove, "Works"] It was written in 1995 and was originally intended for The Proms and the Utrecht Early Music Festival. It was premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on February 10 1996 by Theatre of Voices with Paul Hillier, to whom the piece is dedicated. [Grove, "Speech Melody", and the score]

"Proverb" was written during a period when Reich was experimenting with "speech melody", and is influenced by the period Reich spent working on "The Cave" with Paul Hillier and singers with a strong background in medieval polyphony. This is especially apparent in the two tenor parts, which pay homage to Pérotin in their use of hocket. [ [http://www.wnyc.org/shows/newsounds/episodes/2004/06/08 WNYC - New Sounds: Program #2294 (June 08, 2004) ] ] The text is "How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life!" This text is an excellent explanation of the piece itself, as well as perhaps Reich's career, much of it spent exploring minimalism. [ [http://www.salon.com/april97/sharps/sharps970414.html Salon | Sharps and Flats ] ] The melody is first presented by a solo soprano voice, singing a long lyric line. This original melody and text are repeated throughout the piece in strict unison canon and in chordal harmony, and in melodic inversion, until at the end the solo soprano restates the text to a transformed melody. The work is approximately 14 minutes long.

"Proverb" is one of a number of Reich's works which has been remixed by electronic musicians. It is also the inspiration for a dance which was premiered at London's Barbican Centre in September 2006. [ [http://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=4125 Barbican - Rosas/Alston/Khan - Dance to Music by Steve Reich ] ] The work has been well received by critics. [For example, "Same roots, same tree, ever new branches" [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E6D9113CF93BA35751C1A960958260] by Robert Schwarz]

Recordings

*"Proverb/Nagoya Marimbas/City Life" with Paul Hillier, Theatre of Voices, Bradley Lubman, Jay Elfenbein, Jeanne LeBlanc, on Nonesuch Records, October 15 1996.
*"Steve Reich 1965-1995 [BOX SET] " on Nonesuch Records, June 3 1997.
*The score of "Proverb" is available for rental from Boosey & Hawkes.

Notes

References

*Paul Griffiths. "Steve Reich", "Grove Music Online", ed. L. Macy (accessed September 13 2006), [http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com] (subscription access).
* [http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/catalogue/cat_detail.asp?musicid=557] Composer's notes at Boosey and Hawkes.