Steve Reich, Octet (Eight Lines), part 1, Jackson Pollock

Steve Reich, Octet (Eight Lines), part 1, performed by Steve Reich and Musicians, April 1979. Paintings are by Jackson Pollock (1912-1956).

"The point is, if you went to Paris and dug up Debussy and said, 'Excusez-moi Monsieur, are you an impressionist?' he'd probably say 'Merde!' and go back to sleep. That is a legitimate concern of musicologists, music historians, and journalists, and it's a convenient way of referring to me, Riley, Glass, La Monte Young [...] it's become the dominant style. But, anybody who's interested in French Impressionism is interested in how different Debussy and Ravel and Satie are—and ditto for what's called minimalism. [...] Basically, those kind of words are taken from painting and sculpture, and applied to musicians who composed at the same period as that painting and sculpture was made [...]."
S.R.—From an Interview with Rebecca Y. Kim, 2000 [23]

"When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well." J.P.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Steve Reich
• Octet
• part 1
• Steve Reich and Musicians

[Merkaba334]

What's the specific recording of this? I like this one the best. Also what's the painting by Pollock that starts the vid? Thanks!

[mangott]

@Merkaba334 Thanks so much for watching,,glad you liked it. The recording is ECM Productions 1980, GmbH which includes Octet, Music for a Large Ensemble, Violin Phase. The Pollock work is Blue (Moby Dick) c. 1943. I agree, this is the best recording of this work, it seems to transcend the nature of sound itself....

[DJPsionix]

no, this is the language of steve reich ^^

[chinesemonk]

I'm not sure about this 'god' person but this is beautiful.

[Merkaba334]

@mangott thanks a lot. it sounds like it has a touch of reverb that gives the piece such a cool sound. yeah this vid pretty much epitomizes great are in the 20th cent.

[MrEduardomaestre]

Una maravilla! La mejor versión, con diferencia! Se nota que está el compositor entre los músicos! Bravo! Amazing!

[WrongmanDark]

What about Nobel Prize in music?

[TheNatedagreat4]

this man was another true genius huh haha

[oxdrift76]

Every time I play this I have trouble sitting still. Makes we wanna dance (and I'm a senior citizen and then some!!)

Check out one of his latest offerings; "You are".

[mojavej]

Beauty yes--got to be loud, and ....in right frame of mind to hear the power .(.. or maybe while gazing at.....Grand Tetons). Maestro Reich should have done variations on Octet instead of returning to angst imhe

[woodros]

this is my favourite piece of music

[ChaDanielsComposer]

Fantastic piece! One of my all-time favorites!