Double Sextet

Double Sextet is a composition by Steve Reich scored for two sextets of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, vibraphone and piano. It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first for the composer. With funds from the Carnegie Hall Corporation, The Abe Fortas Memorial Fund of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Liverpool Culture Company – European Capital of Culture 2008, The Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond, Orange County Performing Arts Center, The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – Music 08 Festival the piece was commissioned by Eighth Blackbird who performed its premiere in 2008, at the University of Richmond in Virginia.. The Liverpool Culture Company (Gordon Ross, music programme manager) was the only non-US commissioning organisation and hosted the rest-of-the-world premiere at St. George's Concert Room, Liverpool on the 21st of November 2008 as part of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Structure

Double Sextet/2×5

The album consists of two works composed by Steve Reich, Double Sextet and 2×5. Double Sextet, which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music, is written for two identical sextets of flute, clarinet, vibraphone, piano, violin and cello. It has been recently quoted as being "among the finest pieces of our time" by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The piece lasts roughly 22 minutes.

2×5 is for two identical quintets consisting of 2 electric guitars, bass guitar, piano and drum set. It is described as a "rock and roll piece", lasting around 20 minutes.

Tracks

Double Sextet

2×5

References