Conversations

It’s always a delight to read interviews conducted by those thoroughly familiar with their subject, and this collection is no exception, with its conversations between composer Reich (known for his contributions to minimalist music) and his many collaborators, performance partners, and friends over six decades of music. Most interesting is when Reich reflects on his philosophy, which is to make the creative process audible in his music; the discussion of many of his best-known pieces (such as Come Out, Music for 18 Musicians, and Different Trains) often reaches granular levels of detail that will send fans back to recordings with a greater sense of discernment. The book assumes that readers will be familiar with the individuals featured (though a group of short bios at the end is helpful), but if they’re already fans of Reich, it’s entirely possible that they’ll know his scene. The volume is less useful as an introduction to Reich—but then, it’s not intended to be. The playlist of Reich’s music is an excellent accompaniment to the reading.