Minimalist Master Reich Reinvents His Creative Process at 90

American composer Steve Reich, a seminal figure in minimalist music, has premiered his latest composition, "In All Your Ways," ahead of his 90th birthday. The 18-minute instrumental piece debuted at the Edinburgh International Festival in August. Reich described a novel creative approach for this work, deviating from his typical forward-moving compositional method.

For "In All Your Ways," Reich experimented with inserting slow movements into a piece that was already largely complete. This structural surgery, as he called it, was an exciting challenge that aimed to provide breathing room for the music, which he felt was initially too fast. He also noted a shift in his process, structuring pieces by rhythmic values rather than solely harmonic ones.

The composer, who has previously used biblical texts in his compositions, drew inspiration for this piece from Proverbs 3:6. He explained that while the full proverb speaks of knowing God, focusing on the phrase "in all your ways" offered greater musical possibilities.

Reich expressed reservations about the increasing role of artificial intelligence in music. While acknowledging its potential usefulness for information retrieval, he is wary of its impact on creativity and the artistic process. He recalled how his own use of digital tools, like MIDI, starting in 1985, allowed for mock-ups but might have subtly altered his music, though it enabled complex works like "Different Trains."

The composer, who last updated his favorite music playlist with Radiohead, continues to reflect on his extensive career, which began over 60 years ago. His minimalist style, characterized by pulse and repetition, has significantly influenced both classical music and popular artists.