Variations

Released in 2002, this collection brings together three of Steve Reich's most significant mid-period works, performed with the clarity and precision his music demands. 'Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards' (1979) represents a shift toward larger orchestral forces while maintaining his signature phasing techniques. 'Six Pianos' (1973) is a quintessential example of his keyboard writing, utilizing six identical instruments to create a dense, interlocking rhythmic web. 'Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ' (1973) showcases his ability to blend human timbres with mechanical repetition, using wordless vocals as a textural element rather than a melodic lead. Critics, including those at AllMusic, have noted that this particular compilation serves as an excellent entry point for the uninitiated while providing definitive recordings for long-time scholars of the minimalist movement. It highlights Reich's transition from the 'process music' of the 60s into the more harmonically rich 'post-minimalism' of the late 70s.