2x5
Encyclopedia
2x5 is a composition by Steve Reich
(born 1936) written in 2008. It is scored for five musicians and pre-recorded tape, or two identical quintets on rock instruments, in total: 2 drum sets, 2 piano
s, 4 electric guitar
s, 2 bass guitar
s. It is described as a "rock and roll piece".
, Reich was interested in writing a similar composition in a similar style for rock instruments.
was released on September 14, 2010 along with Reich's Pulitzer Prize
-winning Double Sextet
on the album Double Sextet/2x5
.
Steve Reich
Stephen Michael "Steve" Reich is an American composer who together with La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass is a pioneering composer of minimal music...
(born 1936) written in 2008. It is scored for five musicians and pre-recorded tape, or two identical quintets on rock instruments, in total: 2 drum sets, 2 piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
s, 4 electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s, 2 bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
s. It is described as a "rock and roll piece".
Background
After writing the predominantly rhythmical Double SextetDouble Sextet
Double Sextet is a composition by Steve Reich scored for two sextets of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, vibraphone and piano. It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first for the composer...
, Reich was interested in writing a similar composition in a similar style for rock instruments.
Structure
2x5 is in three movements and typically lasts around 20 minutes:- Fast
- Slow
- Fast
Recording
A recording of 2x5 by Bang on a CanBang on a Can
Bang on a Can is a multi-faceted classical music organization based in New York City. It was founded in 1987 by three American composers who remain its artistic directors: Julia Wolfe, David Lang, and Michael Gordon...
was released on September 14, 2010 along with Reich's Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning Double Sextet
Double Sextet
Double Sextet is a composition by Steve Reich scored for two sextets of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, vibraphone and piano. It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first for the composer...
on the album Double Sextet/2x5
Double Sextet/2x5
The album consists of two works composed by Steve Reich, the first being Double Sextet, the piece which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music, written for two identical sextets of flute, clarinet, vibraphone, piano, violin and cello. It has been recently quoted as being "among the finest pieces of...
.