Date of Birth: October 3, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Steve Reich, an American composer born on October 3, 1936, is widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures in minimalist music. His innovative compositions have earned him international acclaim, influencing a broad spectrum of contemporary music genres. Reich’s work is characterized by repetitive figures, slow harmonic rhythm, and canonic structures. He studied philosophy at Cornell University, then composition at the Juilliard School and Mills College, where he was mentored by Luciano Berio and Darius Milhaud. Reich’s early works, such as “It’s Gonna Rain” (1965) and “Come Out” (1966), utilized tape loops to create phasing patterns. His later compositions, like “Music for 18 Musicians” (1976) and “Different Trains” (1988), further cemented his reputation as a key figure in 20th-century music. He received the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 2009 for his double sextet. Reich’s influence extends beyond classical music, impacting genres such as electronic music, rock, and jazz.
5 Interesting Facts about Steve Reich
1. Steve Reich is often referred to as one of the founding fathers of minimalism, along with composers like Philip Glass and Terry Riley.
2. His piece “Different Trains” won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Composition in 1989.
3. Reich has cited Ghanaian drumming and Indonesian gamelan music as significant influences on his work.
4. He was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2014.
5. Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians” is considered one of the landmark compositions of the 20th century.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Steve Reich
1. “Music is a gradual process. Once set in motion, it runs by itself.”
2. “I am interested in perceptible processes. I want to be able to hear the process happening throughout the sounding music.”
3. “I think of music as a continuous process, an ongoing flow which, once it starts, has its own life.”
4. “In my music, I’m interested in a compositional process and a sounding music that are one and the same thing.”
5. “The most important thing about music is to listen to it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Steve Reich’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Steve Reich has one son, Ezra Reich, who is a musician and writer.
Relevant Links
2. [Steve Reich on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Reich
3. [Steve Reich’s official website](http://www.stevereich.com/
5. [Steve Reich on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-reich-mn0000751948
