Q2, WQXR’s vibrant new 24/7 music stream dedicated to contemporary classical music, kicks off its first full festival, Maximum Reich: A Celebration of Steve Reich, from Thursday, December 10th through Wednesday, December 16th.

This weeklong immersion into the work of one of the most landscape-changing composers of the last 50 years will include a comprehensive presentation of his recorded works; explorations of the influences both on and of Reich, an Eight Days of Steve blog including tributes from musicians and composers he has inspired, such as Nico Muhly, Sonic Youth, and David Lang; recent videos; an exclusive download; interviews and concerts from the extensive archives of WNYC, the new owner of WQXR; and Reich's own introductions to many of his seminal works. 

Read more information below, but more importantly... check out Q2 now!

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Highlights

Nadia Sirota Hosts: Every day at midnight, 10am, and 6pm.
Two-hour shows curated and hosted by violist and black-belt new music champion, Nadia Sirota.  

Steve Reich Speaks: Every day at 2am, 12 noon, and 8pm.
Q2 digs into the extensive archives of WNYC's 30 year-friendship with Reich to bring you interviews with hosts Tim Page, John Schaefer and Leonard Lopate at crucial moments in the life of the composer. Click here to stream our complete Maximum Reich interview archives. 

Music for 18 Musicians: Every night at 10pm
Hear distinctive versions of this iconic, breakthrough 1974-'76 piece for amplified clarinets, pianos, percussion, strings, and voices from ensembles such as Steve Reich and Musicians, Ensemble Modern, Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, and Amadinda Percussion Ensemble.  

Daily Focus

Each day, Maximum Reich shines its spotlight on a different element in Reich's compositional life. Tune in for a curated experience that explores the many connections and cross-pollinations of his musical thought. 

Thursday, December 10th: The Birth of a Style: Influences and Teachers
Friday, December 11th:  Counterpoint: From Vermont to Cello
Saturday, December 12th: Reich in Full Voice: Vocal, Choral and Tape
Sunday, December 13th: The Cave (An Opera)
Monday, December 14th: Live Concerts from the WNYC Archives
Tuesday, December 15th: Percussion Music
Wednesday, December 16th: Reich Remixed: The Next Generation

Maximum Reich on NPR Music

Reich seems to burn at a different temperature than ordinary humans. Whether it's hotter or cooler is still unclear, but one thing is certain: He generates white-hot passions in listeners.

Wherever you might be on the passion scale, there's no denying that he's been a defining part of the contemporary musical and artistic scene. In this weeklong festival, Reich speaks not only through his music, but in interviews and specially recorded introductions to his seminal works. Read the entire NPR article here.

Maximum Reich Staff:

Executive Producer: Limor Tomer
Producer: Alex Ambrose
Host: Nadia Sirota
Web Producer: Elizabeth Zagroba
Audio Production: Michael Shobe, Caitlin Sullivan, Ave Carrillo, and Zach Crumine
Special thanks to the WNYC Archives, Nonesuch Records, Boosey & Hawkes, Stanford Lively Arts, Palace of Arts (Budapest), and the Amadinda Percussion Group.