Colin Currie Group plays Steve Reich

The experts in Steve Reich’s minimalist music celebrate more than half a century of his work.

Pioneer of minimalism, Steve Reich is a living legend in contemporary classical music. Colin Currie – ‘the world’s finest and most daring percussionist’ (Spectator) formed his hand-picked ensemble expressly to explore Reich’s music. Currie returns to the Festival after his thrilling 2025 concert with the King’s Singers, to celebrate more than half of a century of Reich’s work.

The diverse programme ranges from the iconic Clapping Music (1972), based on traditional West African rhythmic patterns, to the larger-scale Radio Rewrite (2012), inspired by two songs by Radiohead. Other treats include the vibrant Quartet (2014), written for the Colin Currie Group, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Double Sextet (2007).  

The ensemble’s performances have been described as ‘technically impeccable and musically overwhelming’ (The Guardian) and ‘the musical equivalent of a high-wire act’ (The Telegraph). It‘s no wonder that Reich has chosen them to perform the world premiere of Festival co-commission In All Your Ways.  

This performance is being filmed for broadcast. If you would prefer not to be filmed, please let a member of the Front of House team know.

5 Stars

"...under Currie’s urgent, compelling direction, they were compendia of magical textures and colours, constantly shifting in nimble rhythms and effortless propulsion."

The Scotsman

The Warm Up: Colin Currie Group plays Steve Reich

Listen to The Warm Up, your bite-sized audio introduction to the performance.

With not one, but two world premieres, Colin Currie invites us into the exciting and extraordinary world of Steve Reich.

Programme

Full programme

Steve Reich

Clapping Music

Two Pianos (World Premiere)

Radio Rewrite

Double Sextet

Quartet

In All Your Ways (World Premiere)

Performers

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  • Colin Currie
    Director/Percussion
  • Percussion
    Owen Gunnell
    Adrian Spillett
    George Barton
    Catherine Ring
  • Flutes
    Rowland Sutherland
    Helen Whitaker
  • Clarinets
    Emma Burgess
    Michelle Hromin
  • Violins
    Jonathan Morton
    Clio Gould
  • Viola
    Nick Bootiman
  • Cello
    Robin Michael
    Clare O'Connell
  • Piano
    Philip Moore
    Siwan Rhys
  • Electric Bass Guitar
    Pete Wilson
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  • In All Your Ways was co-commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival, Barbican Centre, La Cité de la musique – Philharmonie de Paris, Avex Classics International Inc., Grafenegg Festival, HamburgMusik gGmbH (Elbphilharmonie Hamburg), NTR ZaterdagMatinee, Helsinki Festival, The Carnegie Hall Corporation, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, The Regents of the University of California o/b/o/ Cal Performances and SoundStreams

Dive Deeper

Listen to The Warm Up: your audio introduction to the performance.

Dates & Times