Colin Currie Group plays Steve Reich

The experts in Steve Reich’s minimalist music celebrate of 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.

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

Programme

Full programme

Clapping Music

Two Pianos

Radio Rewrite

Double Sextet

Quartet

In All Your Ways (World Premiere)

Performers

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Colin Currie
Director
Colin Currie Group

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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