The year 2026 marks a historic convergence: the 50th anniversary of Music for 18 Musicians, the 90th birthday of Steve Reich, and the 10th anniversary of our ensemble. Music for 18 Musicians (1976) is one of Steve Reich’s most iconic works—a mesmerizing tapestry of interlocking rhythms, pulsing harmonies, and evolving patterns. Nearly 50 years after its creation, Music for 18 Musicians continues to captivate audiences. Presenting this work in celebration of its 50th anniversary, alongside Steve Reich’s 90th birthday and our ensemble’s 10th, is both an homage to a living master and a reaffirmation of our own artistic mission.
Performance Details
- Venue: Sarasota Opera House
- Date: April 24th, 2026
Key Artists
- Steve Reich, celebrated composer, 90th birthday celebration
- George Nickson, percussion and musical direction
- Samantha Bennett, violin
- Thea Lobo, Jennifer Best Takeda, vocals
- Conor Hanick, Han Chen, Wesley Ducote, pianists
About Steve Reich & Music for 18 Musicians
Praised as “the most original musical thinker of our time” (The New Yorker) and “among the great composers of the century ” (The New York Times), Steve Reich is widely recognized as a pioneer of minimalism and one of the most influential composers shaping modern music today. Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians is a groundbreaking composition that helped define the minimalist movement and has remained at the front of contemporary music since its premiere in 1976. Scored for voices, strings, clarinets, pianos, marimbas, xylophones, and vibraphone, the work is built around a cycle of 11 chords that gradually unfold into rich, evolving patterns of rhythm and harmony. Performed without pause for nearly an hour, the piece requires exceptional ensemble coordination and collective focus. It embodies Reich’s signature approach to pulse, repetition, and gradual transformation—qualities that have influenced generations of composers and performers across genres.
enSRQ: Human, Inclusive, Excellent, Inspiring, and Current
Founded in 2015 by violinist Samantha Bennett and percussionist George Nickson, ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ) is a versatile chamber music ensemble in Sarasota, FL, dedicated to playing and advocating for the music of contemporary composers. Through thoughtfully curated and innovative programs, enSRQ demonstrates how contemporary music is a reflection of our world and cultural experience.