The Desert Music

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DescriptionExcerpt

Reich’s 1985 Nonesuch debut, incorporating poem fragments from William Carlos Williams, was also his first work for large orchestra and chorus; Michael Tilson Thomas conducts. The New York Times praised its “ingenious craft, transfixing rhythmic energy, and gorgeous sound.”

Description

Reich’s 1985 Nonesuch debut, incorporating poem fragments from William Carlos Williams, was also his first work for large orchestra and chorus; Michael Tilson Thomas conducts. The New York Times praised its “ingenious craft, transfixing rhythmic energy, and gorgeous sound.”

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Rudolph Werner and Steve Reich
Recording Engineer: Paul Goodman
Editing and Mixing: Karl-August Naegler, Wolf-Dieter Karwatki, Rudolph Werner, John Newton, and Steve Reich
Recorded October 29 and 30, 1984, at RCA Studio A, New York City
Mastering: Robert C. Ludwig

Music by Steve Reich
Text by William Carlos Williams

Art direction and design: Carin Goldberg
Cover photo: Benno Friedman

Executive Producer: Robert Hurwitz

Nonesuch Selection Number

79101

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
ns_album_artistid
92
ns_album_id
272
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Steve Reich
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Steve Reich and Musicians
with
Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Russell Hartenberger, Robert Becker, Glen Velez, Garry Kvistad, principal percussion
Julie Rosenfeld, concertmistress
Deborah Redding, principal second violin
Francesca Martin, principal viola
Sharon Palmer, principal cello
Donald Palma, principal bass
Cheryl Bensman, choral contractor, soprano

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597910124BUN
Label
MP3
Price
9.00
UPC
603497091867
  • 79101

News & Reviews

  • The twenty-seven disc box set Steve Reich Collected Works is due March 14, 2025, on Nonesuch. It features music recorded during the composer's forty years on the label—six decades of his compositions, including first recordings of his two latest works, Jacob’s Ladder and Traveler’s Prayer—plus two extensive booklets with new essays by Robert Hurwitz, Michael Tilson Thomas, Russell Hartenberger, Judith Sherman, and Nico Muhly, and a comprehensive listener’s guide by Timo Andres. Nonesuch made its first record with Steve Reich in 1985; he was signed exclusively to the label that year. Collected Works includes twenty-four discs of Nonesuch recordings and three from other labels.

  • In celebration of Nonesuch Records' 60th anniversary, the label has partnered with photographer Michael Wilson—who has exquisitely captured dozens of Nonesuch artists over the past quarter-century—to produce Michael Wilson / 25 Years: A Nonesuch Collection, an extremely limited quantity of 100 box sets containing newly created prints from his Nonesuch archive, out now. You can take a quick look inside here. Designed by the Grammy-winning team at SMOG Design, each box comprises twenty 12" x 12" prints, numbered and signed by the photographer. Artists featured are Allen Toussaint, Ambrose Akinmusire, Audra McDonald, Bill Frisell, The Black Keys, Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, Frederic Rzewski, Jeremy Denk, Kronos Quartet, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Manuel Galbán and Ry Cooder, Philip Glass, Randy Newman, Rhiannon Giddens, Stephin Merritt and Lemony Snicket, Steve Reich, and Timo Andres, who wrote a note for the box.

Buy Now

  • About This Album

    Reich’s 1985 Nonesuch debut, incorporating poem fragments from William Carlos Williams, was also his first work for large orchestra and chorus; Michael Tilson Thomas conducts. The New York Times praised its “ingenious craft, transfixing rhythmic energy, and gorgeous sound.”

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Steve Reich and Musicians
    with
    Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic
    Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
    Russell Hartenberger, Robert Becker, Glen Velez, Garry Kvistad, principal percussion
    Julie Rosenfeld, concertmistress
    Deborah Redding, principal second violin
    Francesca Martin, principal viola
    Sharon Palmer, principal cello
    Donald Palma, principal bass
    Cheryl Bensman, choral contractor, soprano

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by Rudolph Werner and Steve Reich
    Recording Engineer: Paul Goodman
    Editing and Mixing: Karl-August Naegler, Wolf-Dieter Karwatki, Rudolph Werner, John Newton, and Steve Reich
    Recorded October 29 and 30, 1984, at RCA Studio A, New York City
    Mastering: Robert C. Ludwig

    Music by Steve Reich
    Text by William Carlos Williams

    Art direction and design: Carin Goldberg
    Cover photo: Benno Friedman

    Executive Producer: Robert Hurwitz

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