The Music for a Large Ensemble reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Music for a Large Ensemble

Music for a Large Ensemble is a piece of music written by Steve Reich in 1978. It is scored for string instruments, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, pianos, marimbas, vibraphones, xylophones and two female voices.

As in some of his other works from the same time, Reich uses a technique here whereby short, rapid phrases are stretched out to become longer lines, which combine contrapuntally with other melodies. It is in an "arch" structure, ABCBA, characteristic of Reich's work at this time.

Although the piece is not one of Reich's most popular, it has been recorded several times, most recently in a performance conducted by Alan Pierson.

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