Photo by Greg Cristman
Gregory R. Cristman

Philip Glass & Steve Reich w/ Nico Muhly & others kicked off "Nonesuch Records at BAM" w/ their first of 3 shows (pics)

photos by Greg Cristman

Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians

There were no speeches, or stagy hugs, or arms lifted in reconciliation. Not even a handshake. Still, on Tuesday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, two pioneers of Minimalism, the composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich, both 77, put aside a personal and professional feud that lasted more than 40 years and, for the first time since the early ’70s, performed together as they had in their early days so often and so momentously.

…The audience that packed the house on Tuesday applauded and cheered with delight when Mr. Glass and Mr. Reich walked onstage to play “Four Organs,” scored for four digital keyboards and maracas. The other players were two composer-pianists of the new generation, Nico Muhly and Timo Andres, and the percussionist David Cossin from the Glass Ensemble.

…The ensemble then played Parts 1 and 2 of Mr. Glass’s “Music in 12 Parts,” completed in 1974, a sort of how-to catalog of Minimalist techniques turned into a haunting, audacious piece. Best of all was the “Funeral of Amenhotep III” from Mr. Glass’s 1983 opera “Akhnaten,” performed by nine players, including two percussionists, music that in its obsessive figurations seems at once terrifying and exuberant. [NY Times]

“Nonesuch Records at BAM,” the 50th anniversary celebration of the label, began last night (9/9) with two events, one being the highly-anticipated collaboration from contemporary composer greats Philip Glass and Steve Reich, their first in four decades. As the above review points out, they were joined by Nico Muhly, Timo Andres and David Cossin, and the performance lived up to its expectations. Pictures and a video in this post.

Reich and Glass do it two more times, first tonight (9/10) and again on Thursday (9/11). They’re in the Howard Gilman Opera House, while jazz composer Brad Mehldau (the other show last night) wraps up his two-night run in the Harvey Theater tonight. Tonight Brad will be joined by Chris Thile of Nickel Creek/Punch Brothers.

More pictures, and that video, below…

Philip Glass Ensemble

Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble
Philip Glass Ensemble

Steve Reich and Musicians

Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians
Steve Reich and Musicians