Steve Reich at 90 - The Desert Music

The Steve Reich 90th birthday tribute weekend from the Glasshouse International Centre of Music in Gateshead continues with performances of some of Reich's most enduring music, including The Desert Music, one of his few pieces for full orchestra. This 'cantata' is a setting of recorded texts by the Poet William Carlos Williams which imagine "The Orchestra" as a metaphor for human civilisation.

Recorded on 2 October at Glasshouse in Gateshead, and presented by Elizabeth Alker.

Steve Reich: Clapping Music
Steve Reich: Double Sextet
Steve Reich: The Desert Music

Colin Currie and Jude Charlton (percussion)
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Colin Currie (conductor)

To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."