Drumming
Once a fringe composer, Steve Reich is now part of the musical mainstream. His progress as a composer over the decades is impressive, but some of his earlier major works still stand as milestones, andDrummingis one of the best. Inspired by his drumming studies in Ghana,Drummingis a lengthy piece for percussion, sometimes reinforced by voices. It's thrilling to hear in person, and mesmerisingly involving even on recordings. (Don't listen to it while you're driving!) It's great that Reich's music is being taken up by young performers, and this new recording by So Percussion has many virtues, including lots of energy and very clear recording. It also uses singers who have worked with Reich (including the amazing Jay Clayton). Overdubbing parts doesn't seem to matter much either way. Unfortunately, the recording has a major, disqualifying flaw. The high-pitched opening of Part 3 becomes an undifferentiated hash in this performance, losing vital rhythmic definition. Both of Reich's recordings get this part (and everything else) right; theearlier versionon Deutsche Grammophon uses the maximum repeats, in this case a real virtue.--Leslie Gerber