Octet (Reich): Difference between revisions
No such user (talk | contribs) m {{italic title}} |
added some analysis |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
'''''Octet''''' is a work by American [[Minimalist music|minimalist]] composer [[Steve Reich]]. It was originally scored for [[string quartet]], two [[piano]]s, and two [[clarinet]]s doubling both [[bass clarinet]] and [[Western concert flute|flute]] as well as [[piccolo]]. It was completed in April 1979, and was premiered on June 21, 1979, by members of the [[Netherlands Wind Ensemble]]. ''Octet'' was later rescored by Reich by adding a string quartet, under the title ''[[Eight Lines]]''. |
'''''Octet''''' is a work by American [[Minimalist music|minimalist]] composer [[Steve Reich]]. It was originally scored for [[string quartet]], two [[piano]]s, and two [[clarinet]]s doubling both [[bass clarinet]] and [[Western concert flute|flute]] as well as [[piccolo]]. It was completed in April 1979, and was premiered on June 21, 1979, by members of the [[Netherlands Wind Ensemble]]. ''Octet'' was later rescored by Reich by adding a string quartet, under the title ''[[Eight Lines]]''. |
||
''Octet'' consists of a single movement about 15-18 minutes long, in quick [[quintuple meter|5/4]]. The core of the work is a syncopated piano [[ostinato]], superimposed over transposed and shifted versions of itself. The woodwinds and strings play fragmented versions of these figures in unison with the pianos, as well as melodies of their own and slow drones in the background. The piece makes extensive use of [[imitative polyphony]] and incremental building of melodies. |
|||
The work is divided into five sections with mostly gradual changes between them. It is entirely [[diatonic]], although with occasional [[modulation (music)|modulation]]s — these are subtle, playing on ambiguities formed by leaving out one degree of the scale. |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 21:09, 15 November 2013
Octet is a work by American minimalist composer Steve Reich. It was originally scored for string quartet, two pianos, and two clarinets doubling both bass clarinet and flute as well as piccolo. It was completed in April 1979, and was premiered on June 21, 1979, by members of the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. Octet was later rescored by Reich by adding a string quartet, under the title Eight Lines.
Octet consists of a single movement about 15-18 minutes long, in quick 5/4. The core of the work is a syncopated piano ostinato, superimposed over transposed and shifted versions of itself. The woodwinds and strings play fragmented versions of these figures in unison with the pianos, as well as melodies of their own and slow drones in the background. The piece makes extensive use of imitative polyphony and incremental building of melodies.
The work is divided into five sections with mostly gradual changes between them. It is entirely diatonic, although with occasional modulations — these are subtle, playing on ambiguities formed by leaving out one degree of the scale.
References
- Reich, Steve (2002). Writings on Music, 1965–2000. USA: Oxford University Press. pp. 98–99. ISBN 0-19-511171-0.
| Compositions |
|
|---|---|
| Related articles | |
