"Four Organs" is actually more than four organs, it also features the maracas, which is a big part of the piece. Four electric organs that play in short bursts of a note, but as the piece goes on, the notes become longer, yet the crazy maracas stay in place and in the beat. What makes this work listenable to me at the very least, is the dynamic relationship between the organs and maracas. It's a remarkable piece of music, and when played loud, it brings a new meaning to a sense of bliss.
"Pendulum Music" is an early work (1968) that consist of microphones, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. It sounds like a sea creature in a mating call. The key element here is the rhythm, which is prominent in all three pieces here by Steve Reich. "Phase Patterns" is another work with four organs, and it's more frantic, but oddly enough a meditative piece of work. Reich always seemed to me to be a composer who is inspired by the sounds of life - traffic noise, electricity running through a fridge or speakers - he makes these sounds into a strong rhythmic melody. I have to imagine that it's a high of sorts for the musician who plays these music pieces. It's about discipline. A lot of modern works, such as John Cage, is about noise being organized. I think Cage and Reich do have a relationship through their music. Different sounds, techniques, yet there is a rigid way of looking at the world. Open, yet see the world in a frame.
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