Steve Reich Rewrites Radiohead

Hugely influential composer to debut a work based on Radiohead songs in March 2013

Influential minimalist composer Steve Reich is to debut a work based on two songs by popular Oxford group Radiohead, reports The Guardian. Radio Rewrite will be performed at the Southbank Centre next March by 13 musicians from the London Sinfonietta, and is based around ‘Everything In Its Right Place’ and ‘Jigsaw Falling Into Place’. The former in particular makes sense – the Kid A opening salvo already felt strongly influenced by Reich’s signature spiraling melodies.

The project was first seeded when Reich met Radiohead last September in Poland, and spoke to the band at some length after seeing Jonny Greenwood play Reich’s guitar composition ‘Electric Counterpoint’.

"I don’t think Steve will be quoting these songs directly," said London Sinfonietta chief executive Andrew Burke, "that’s not his style. How he uses the songs as a starting point for what he does is going to be part of the excitement. But ultimately I’m most excited by the fact that we’ve got a new work by Steve Reich."

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