STEVE REICH — The ECM Recordings (2016) Old & New Masters Edition Series | 3CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Early in his career, Steve Reich released three groundbreaking albums on ECM Records that established his relationship with this forward-looking label and solidified his reputation as a major American composer. With the recording of Music for 18 Musicians in 1978, Reich received widespread praise from both listeners and critics, and its success led to the subsequent release in 1981 of Octet; Music for a Large Ensemble; Violin Phase, which expanded Reich's catalog of pattern-based instrumental works, and Tehillim in 1982, which revealed his interest in his Jewish heritage and his new emphasis on vocal music. This limited-edition package presents these essential albums on three CDs with the original album art reproduced on cardboard sleeves. This is a must-have set that will bring back fond memories for owners of the original vinyl records. Considering the drawback of having to change sides in the middle of Music for 18 Musicians, many old-timers know that having that cherished performance on CD is a dream come true. Of course, these works have entered the repertoire of many contemporary music ensembles, and several outstanding recordings have been made since these albums first appeared. But this is an important piece of history that collectors and fans of minimalism should snap up immediately. Blair Sanderson
Tracklist 1 :
Music For 18 Musicians
1.    Pulse – Sections I–X – Pulse (56:31)
Cello – Ken Ishii
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Richard Cohen, Virgil Blackwell
Marimba, Maracas – Gary Schall
Marimba, Xylophone – Bob Becker, Glen Velez, Russ Hartenberger
Marimba, Xylophone, Piano – David Van Tieghem
Metallophone, Piano – James Preiss
Performer [Performed By] – Steve Reich And Musicians
Piano – Nurit Tilles, Steve Chambers
Piano, Maracas – Larry Karush
Piano, Marimba – Steve Reich
Violin – Shem Guibbory
Voice – Elizabeth Arnold, Pamela Fraley, Rebecca Armstrong
Voice, Piano – Jay Clayton
Tracklist 2 :
Octet • Music For A Large Ensemble • Violin Phase
1. Music For A Large Ensemble (15:28)
Bass [Basses] – Judith Sugarman, Lewis Paer
Cello [Cellos] – Chris Finckel, Michael Finckel
Clarinet [Clarinets] – Richard Cohen, Virgil Blackwell
Flute – Mort Silver
Marimba [Marimbas] – Gary Schall, Glen Velez, Richard Schwarz, Russ Hartenberger
Piano [Pianos] – Edmund Niemann, Larry Karush, Nurit Tilles, Steve Reich
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Saxophones] – Ed Joffe, Vincent Gnojek
Trumpet [Trumpets] – Douglas Hedwig, James Dooley, James Hamlin, Marshall Farr
Vibraphone – James Preiss
Viola [Violas] – Claire Bergman, Ruth Siegler
Violin [Violins] – Robert Chausow, Shem Guibbory
Voice [Voices] – Elizabeth Arnold, Jay Clayton
Xylophone [Xylophones] – Bob Becker, David Van Tieghem
2. Violin Phase (15:09)
Violin – Shem Guibbory
3. Octet (17:29)
Cello – Chris Finckel
Clarinet [Clarinets], Bass Clarinet [Bass Clarinets], Flute [Flutes], Piccolo Flute [Piccolos] – Mort Silver, Virgil Blackwell
Piano [Pianos] – Edmund Niemann, Nurit Tilles
Viola – Ruth Siegler
Violin [Violins] – Robert Chausow, Shem Guibbory
Tracklist 3 :
Tehillim
1. Tehillim Parts I & II 17:25
Alto Vocals [Alto] – Jay Clayton
Bass – Lewis Paer
Cello – Chris Finckel
Clarinet, Flute – Virgil Blackwell
Clarinet, Piccolo Flute [Piccolo] – Mort Silver
Conductor – George Manahan
English Horn – Ellen Bardekoff
Oboe – Vivian Burdick
Electric Organ [Electric Organs] – Edmund Niemann, Nurit Tilles
Soprano Vocals [High Sopano] – Pamela Wood*
Soprano Vocals [Lyric Sopano] – Rebecca Armstrong
Soprano Vocals [Lyric Sopano], Soloist [Solo At Beginning And End Of First Part] – Cheryl Bensman
Tambourine [Tuned Tambourines (Without Jingles)], Handclaps [Clapping], Maracas, Marimba, Vibraphone, Crotales – Bob Becker, Garry Kvistad, Gary Schall, Glen Velez, Russ Hartenberger, Steve Reich
Viola – Ruth Siegler
Violin – Robert Chausow, Shem Guibbory
2. Tehillim Parts III & IV
Alto Vocals [Alto] – Jay Clayton
Bass – Lewis Paer
Cello – Chris Finckel
Clarinet, Flute – Virgil Blackwell
Clarinet, Piccolo Flute [Piccolo] – Mort Silver
Conductor – George Manahan
English Horn – Ellen Bardekoff
Oboe – Vivian Burdick
Electric Organ [Electric Organs] – Edmund Niemann, Nurit Tilles
Soprano Vocals [High Sopano] – Pamela Wood*
Soprano Vocals [Lyric Sopano] – Rebecca Armstrong
Tambourine [Tuned Tambourines (Without Jingles)], Handclaps [Clapping], Maracas, Marimba, Vibraphone, Crotales – Bob Becker, Garry Kvistad, Gary Schall, Glen Velez, Russ Hartenberger, Steve Reich
Viola – Ruth Siegler
Violin – Robert Chausow, Shem Guibbory