Steve Reich is the featured composer for Tokyo Opera City's Composium 2008, part of the Contemporary Music Festival beginning today and running through Sunday. Ensemble Modern and Synergy Vocals perform in two sold-out, all-Reich concerts at the Opera's Concert Hall, with Brad Lubman conducting, including the Japanese premiere of Daniel Variations as well as a performance of the seminal work Music for 18 Musicians featuring the composer as guest performer. The event also includes a discussion with the composer and the selection of the 2008 Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.
Steve Reich is the featured composer for Tokyo Opera City's Composium 2008, part of the Contemporary Music Festival beginning today and running through Sunday. Ensemble Modern and Synergy Vocals perform in two sold-out, all-Reich concerts at the Opera's Concert Hall, with Brad Lubman conducting. Tonight's opening program includes the Japanese premiere of Daniel Variations as well as a performance of the seminal work Music for 18 Musicians featuring the composer as guest performer. Tomorrow night's program includes Part 1 of Drumming, 1995's Proverb, and an encore performance of Music for 18 Musicians with Reich performing again.
On Saturday, the composer will join moderator Miyuki Shiraishi for a discussion of his work, with the 2005 recording You Are (Variations) incorporated into the conversation. This event is sold-out as well.
The festival comes to a close on Sunday with the concert for the final selection of the 2008 Toru Takemitsu Composition Award, established in 1997. Reich will judge the works of four composer-finalists—all under 40 and hailing from Australia, Mexico, and Japan—performed by Ensemble Nomad and conductor Ken'ichi Nakagawa.
For information on all of these events, visit operacity.jp.
