S. Reich/J. Adams "Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards/Shaker Loops”

Steve Reich / John Adams -San Francisco Symphony
Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards / Shaker Loops
Philips (Holland) 1984
412 214-1 (LP)
sleeve : EX(wrinkles on corner, slightly color-faded.)
media : EX+/EX+(some slightly surface noises, still good.)

The San Francisco Symphony, under the direction of Edo de Waart, performed a composition by Steve Reich, one of the world's leading composers of contemporary music, and John Adams, an American composer whose works have been featured on the ECM New Series. Side A is an orchestral piece composed by Steve Reich in 1979 and premiered by the San Francisco Symphony in 1980. It was released between "Octet" and "Tehillim", when Reich was returning to his Jewish roots and deepening his exploration of chanting. The performance by the San Francisco Symphony is excellent, and even though the track is over 21 minutes long, you lose track of time as you lose yourself in the world of sound. This is one of my personal favorites. side B is a string ensemble version by John Adams, released in 1978, featuring three violins, a viola, two cellos, and a double bass. It is a four-part suite. It is a moving world in which the solemnly resonant minimalist string sound dramatically develops with contrasts of stillness and movement.