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Looper's Delight
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hi folks, i've just finished a grueling fourteen hour work day with Reich and co. basically, i was their driver; this involved many, many hours of fun and interesting conversation, as well as unusual hours... but anyway: the ensemble consisted of two pianists, five vocalists, a conductor, a sound engineer, four percussionists, and reich. they were easily the most relaxed and friendly group of artists i've worked with. their planes were an hour late; rehearsal was hindered by fried microphones; they hadn't eaten in over a day; and worst - our staff had some embarrassing moments with them. but in all, they were very patient, friendly, and considerate. i ended up taking them to a local restaurant for dinner (and muchos margaritas). i wish i had time to remember and write down the conversation; easily put, it was entertaining. some of them had heard of the chapman stick, though none really knew much about it. reich asked (and received, of course) for a tape of my music... his parting words were a very stern "we'll be in touch." incredible guy. he doesn't actually perform much of his own compositions, but rather continually uses the ensemble (built of a very tightly-knit group of old friends) in all of his works. - it was said that he writes some parts specifically for a certain player in the group. the music was memorable. i've always been a glass fan, but i found reich's marimba pieces (which were featured) to be much more interesting and dynamic than the organ pieces of glass. the percussionists were amazing. finally, i dropped them at the airport this morning, after many, many handshakes and even a free cd of the two pianists' work titled 'double edge'. what a day. i can't wait to see if reich will call me. :) **************************************************************** ** Dan Howarth, History/Music, University of Arizona, Tucson ** ** http://www.u.arizona.edu/~howarth (under construction) ** ****************************************************************