News | Chorale's third tour to New York City features solo debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall

July 20, 2006

This fall the Los Angeles Master Chorale, under the baton of Music Director Grant Gershon, embarks on its third tour to New York City to make its solo debut at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on Saturday, October 28, 2006 to present the East Coast premiere of Steve Reich’s acclaimed You Are (Variations). The all-Reich program also includes Tehillim and Clapping Music, scored for two clappers, featuring Steve Reich as one of the clappers.  The performance is part of Lincoln Center’s “Voices and Visionaries” series and Reich’s 70th birthday celebration.

You Are (Variations) was co-commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Lincoln Center and Ensemble Modern.  The Chorale gave the world premiere of the work at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 24, 2004 with Gershon conducting.  Reich attended the premiere in Los Angeles and plans to attend the East Coast premiere as well.  Subsequently, Gershon conducted the world premiere recording of You Are (Variations) for Nonesuch, which was released in September 2005 to great acclaim.  The Los Angeles Times proclaimed, “‘You Are’ (Variations)’ is a modern masterpiece.”  Of the recording, Gramophone stated, “The (choir’s) performance positively glitters.”  Billboard declared the choir “performed with authoritative expertise.”  The London Independent opined, “surely (Reich’s) most compelling piece since Different Trains.”  Ensemble Modern gave the European premiere in London in January 2005.

Reich’s four-movement work, which is approximately 30 minutes in length, features 18 amplified voices, and an instrumental ensemble, also amplified, that includes four virtuoso percussionists and four virtuoso pianists.

The text of You Are (Variations), written in both English and Hebrew, is drawn from the Talmud, the Psalms, and the writings of philosopher Paul Wittgenstein.  Additionally the title itself and the text of the first movement is taken from the phrase “you are wherever your thoughts are,” written by the 18th Century Jewish mystic Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.