Music Graduate Colloquium: M. Schutz and R. Hartenberger

Presented by Graduate Studies in Music, the Don Wright Faculty of Music Graduate Colloquium series includes lectures by distinguished guests, Western faculty members, and senior graduate students on all fields of research and creative activity in music.

Michael Schutz (McMaster University) and Russell Hartenberger (University of Toronto): “Understanding what actually happens in Steve Reich's Drumming" 

Admission is free, and all are welcome to join.

Abstract

The composition Drumming (1971) calls for phasing, or gradual desynchronization by two percussionists starting and ending in unison. Since premiering the piece in 1971, Russell Hartenberger has given nearly 1000 performances of this in venues around the world. After decades of playing and coaching a piece making unusual demands of performers, he grew increasingly curious as to what “really happens” when playing. To explore this issue, we recorded him playing excerpts of Drumming with his longtime NEXUS colleague Bob Becker, offering unprecedented analysis as the precise pattern of rhythms as they unfold while phasing. In addition to insight useful to percussionists, Hartenberger will discuss his experiences working with Reich on the piece’s development, offering a wealth of insight into both the creation and execution of this landmark minimalist composition. 

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