Poster 270010-20110901-steve-reich-1
Composer Steve Reich wrote his first string quartet for the Kronos Quartet in the 1980s.
Jeffrey Herman
Extra Eclectic

Steve Reich's string quartets are like no others

Extra Eclectic: Steve Seel interviews Steve Reich

Composer Steve Reich's style is unmistakable, and his contributions to the direction of contemporary classical music are incalculable. And yet, he says he never would have considered writing one of the core forms of classical music — a string quartet — if he hadn't been asked to by the esteemed Kronos Quartet in the 1980s. A new recording of the complete string quartets by Reich — Different Trains, Triple Quartet and WTC 9/11 — was recently released by the Mivos Quartet, featuring involvement from the composer. Steve Seel spoke with Reich by phone about his unlikely history of string quartet writing and his unusual approach of "multiplying" the quartet with prerecorded tracks. Listen using the player above.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Extra Eclectic Episodes

Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Bonnie North shares a program of modern dance music, including polonaises by Thomas Ades, excerpts from Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Blues Symphony,’ Stephen Jaffe’s ‘Light Dances’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:57
All American music with guest host Jake Armerding
1:58:58
Beethoven as a beginning

Beethoven as a beginning

In 2016, pianist Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra launched ‘Beethoven/5,’ commissioning five composers to write new piano concertos, each inspired by one of Beethoven’s. We hear two of those works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
Terry Riley at 90

Terry Riley at 90

Iconoclastic and massively influential American composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday on June 24, and we honor him this week on ‘Extra Eclectic’ by devoting the entire first hour to a cross-section of his output. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Middle Eastern connections

Middle Eastern connections

Contemporary composers with Middle Eastern roots provide a lively tapestry on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ We hear Layale Chaker’s ‘Ya Fajr’ from ‘Mkhammas Suite,’ Reza Vali’s Calligraphy No. 16, ‘Isfahan’ and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:58
Summer getaways

Summer getaways

The summer solstice is almost upon us, so Steve Seel brings us a rhapsody on summer themes on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’: Donnacha Dennehy’s ‘June’ and ‘July’ from ‘Land of Winter,’ Peteris Vasks’ ‘Summer Dances,’ and Brian Eno’s ‘Music for Airports.’ Listen now!

1:58:58
Electronic elements

Electronic elements

On this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Your Classical Fellow Anna Tessman guest-curates a playlist showcasing modern classical works featuring electronic sounds and textures — often integrated with traditional acoustic instruments. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

1:58:59
Sounds from Southeast Asia and Oceania

Sounds from Southeast Asia and Oceania

Composers from Southeast Asia and Oceania (and those influenced by their music) are the focus on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Steve Seel plays Eunike Tanzil’s ‘Serenade’ and Su Lian Tan‘s ‘Legend of Kintamani,’ as well as works by Lou Harrison and Colin McPhee. Listen now!

1:58:59
Let our garden grow

Let our garden grow

This week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ is a musical garden, with contemporary classical works about flowers, rain, and sun. Steve Seel plays us Yoko Kanno’s ‘Flowers Will Bloom,’ Takashi Yoshimatsu’s piano concerto ‘Memo Flora,’ Terry Riley’s ‘Sun Rings,’ Caroline Shaw’s ‘Let the Soil Play its Simple Part’ and much more. Listen now!

1:58:59
Whimsy and wonder

Whimsy and wonder

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ whimsy is on the docket! Host Steve Seel features Missy Mazzoli’s ‘Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres),’ Caroline Shaw’s ‘The Observatory,’ Christopher Cerrone's ‘Ode to Joy’ and Laurie Spiegel’s ‘The Unquestioned Answer.’ Listen now!

1:58:59
VIEW ALL EPISODES
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00