Steve Reich celebrates 90th birthday with global musical tributes

Composer Steve Reich is celebrating his 90th birthday with various musical tributes and performances worldwide. Major events include a birthday concert at Carnegie Hall and a multi-day focus at the Philharmonie de Paris.

In Graz, Austria, the Ensemble Studio Percussion has organized a marathon event involving 90 musicians across 24 locations. Highlights in Graz include performances of ‘Different Trains’ and ‘City Life’, as well as a special chime on the Weikhard clock.

Other international celebrations include programs at The Glasshouse in Gateshead, curated by percussionist Colin Currie. Reich’s influential career is noted for his role in the minimalist movement and works such as ‘Music for 18 Musicians’, which helped bring new composition to broader audiences through its unique pulse patterns and layered counterpoint.