(June 2018) I have completed episode 171 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: STEVE REICH. As a devotee of minimalist music, of course I am a fan of one of its founding fathers, arguably one of America’s greatest living composers. I especially appreciate Reich’s early experimentation with tape loops and phasing, as they have had such a wide influence across a wide range of musical styles. He has kept innovating with African polyrythms, unique orchestrations, mixed-media operas, religious themes, etc.
Favorite Piece: Music for 18 Musicians
Favorite orchestra-ish piece: The Four Sections
Favorite tape loop: Come Out
Favorite use of amplified noise to explore a concept: Pendulum Music
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 
One thought on “171. Steve Reich”