An Introduction to America’s Music

554 PART 4 | SINCE WORLD WAR II

timing section comments

0:00 part 1 12 bars in triple meter: pianos and vibraphones play rhythmically pulsating

pandiatonic chords in G major.

0:23 Pianos and vibes repeat the 12 bars, with addition of a melody in two-part harmony

in clarinets and strings.

0:46 12 bars repeat, with the melody echoed by added instruments in close rhythmic

canon.

1:09 12 bars repeat, with addition of soprano and tenor voices: “I sure hope.. .”

1:32 Final repetition of 12 bars, with addition of second soprano and tenor in close

rhythmic canon.

1:56 part 2 Same process, now in B-fl at major and 14-bar sections.

2:23 Melody instruments enter.

2:50 Melody instruments in canon.

3:17 Voices enter.

3:45 Voices i n ca non.

4:13 part 3 The process begins again, now in D-fl at major; 14-bar sections, with an extra beat in

bar 4.

4:40 Melody instruments enter.

5:09 Melody instruments in canon.

5:36 Voices enter.

6:04 Voices i n ca non.

date: 2006

performers: Los Angeles Master Chorale;

Grant Gershon, conductor. Instrumentation:

2 sopranos; 2 tenors; 2 clarinets; 4

vibraphones; bass and kick drum, tam-tam

(not heard in this movement); 4 pianos;

string quartet

genre: classical concert work for large

ensemble

meter: triple, with occasional duple bars

form: four sections, each a variant of a

single additive process

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• minimalist earmarks: steady pulse, slowly
  unfolding processes, repetition


• diatonic pitch material but nontraditional
  harmonies


• melodies in closely spaced rhythmic
  canons


• lyrics in nonpoetic, “everyday” tone

Listening Guide 22.3

Daniel Variations, fourth movement

CD 4.15 STEVE REICH

172028_22_531-558_r3_sd.indd 554 23/01/13 11:21 AM