February 29, 2016
by Jeff Zumfelde

Steve Reich turned 80 in October 2016. Third Coast Percussion kicks off the party with this excellent disc that includes a piece from each of the last four decades. Their playing is warm, fluid and very human. The ensemble pulls extra levels of dramatic tension from these pieces with their wonderfully expressive dynamics, especially on Sextet and Mallet Quartet. The tempo for “Nagoya Marimbas” is slightly more relaxed than the original recording from the 1990s and the piece breathes and dances as a result. The contrasts in color that Third Coast achieves here are quite effective and emotionally engaging.

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