The Reich stuff

The hook for this evening's entertainment was Jonny Greenwood playing Steve Reich's 'Electric Counterpoint' (here he is playing it in 2021), but actually the whole programme looked interesting.

When we arrived, the ensemble in my photo were playing what I think must have been 'Music For Pieces Of Wood', which was a great appetiser for the concert itself. 

In many ways, the first piece, 'Clapping Music'. was my favourite. I can't begin to imagine how you learn, rehearse, and perform it.

But the whole programme was very good, and I found myself occasionally transported into that slightly hallucinogenic state that comes just before sleep. 

It's taken me a lifetime of listening to music to get to the point where I think I can begin to properly appreciate Reich, and I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this evening's concert so much, even five years ago. 

And Greenwood was fine, by the way. He played the piece as wonderfully as I'd have expected. Turning up in jeans and a t-shirt just seemed a bit naff, though.