Saturday, December 10th 7pm

In 1970, Steve Reich embarked on a trip to study music in Ghana with Gideon Alorwoyie, the resident master drummer of the Ghana Dance Ensemble. From this experience in Africa, Reich drew inspiration for his piece Drumming, which he composed shortly after his return. Composed for a nine­piece percussion ensemble with female voices and piccolo, Drumming marked the beginning of a new stage in his career, for around this time Reich formed his ensemble, Steve Reich and Musicians, and increasingly concentrated on performing with them as well as composition. In celebration of Steve Reich’s 80th birthday year, the Ghanaian master Gideon Alorwoyie will play alongside Mantra Percussion Ensemble, who will perform selections from Drumming to explore this modern music masterpiece and the Ghanaian music by which it was inspired.

Co-curated by Sruly Lazarus