Radio Rewrite

Radio Rewrite is a 2012 work for instrumental ensemble by American composer Steve Reich (born 1936), inspired by two songs by British rock band Radiohead: "Jigsaw Falling into Place" and "Everything in Its Right Place". The piece represents the first time that Reich has reworked material from western pop/rock music. It has five movements, alternating fast and slow, and is scored for clarinet, flute, two violins, viola, cello, two vibraphones, two pianos and electric bass. The work premiered in London, UK in 2013, performed by the London Sinfonietta, to a generally positive reception. Much attention focused on the Radiohead material, with some reviewers praising how completely it is integrated, while others question whether Radiohead's style is suited to Reich's work. Alarm Will Sound made the first recording of the piece for an album of the same name released on Nonesuch Records in 2014.

Reich is one of the founders of the minimalist movement in music. While his work takes inspiration from Baroque music, Igor Stravinsky, jazz, Hebrew cantillation and West African and Balinese music, the composer states that he has composed only two earlier pieces that directly reference material from existing music. His 1995 vocal work, Proverb, draws from 12th–13th century composer Pérotin; more recently, his 2011 piece for two pianos, Finishing the Hat, draws from musical writer Stephen Sondheim, Reich's near contemporary. Reich connects this practice of rewriting with a long tradition in classical music, stretching back to the early 15th century. Although he sees classical and popular music as closely linked – as he puts it, "the window is open between the street and the concert hall" – and has often composed for electronic instruments, Reich does not describe himself as a fan of rock music, and had never previously investigated the potential of western pop/rock music for such treatment.

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