Gregor Schwellenbach, John Kameel Farah, Benedikt ter Braak, Daniel Brandt, Paul Frick, Kai Schumacher
“Six Pianos”, composed by Steve Reich in March 1973, was originally conceptualized for all the pianos available in a New York piano store, but Reich felt that the resulting sound was too dense. So he limited himself to six pianos, which, placed in a compact space, allow for very precise timing.
The composition can be regarded as a truly formative work of 'minimal music'.
Terry Riley's 'Keyboard Study #2' is another pioneering work in this style.
Original compositions by the participating pianists complete the concert program: sometimes solo, sometimes as a duo or trio, the six musicians juxtapose the minimal classics with their individual approaches to piano music.
All six soloists belong to a new generation of pianists who are both classically trained and have a natural approach to contemporary pop and club music - and who attribute a central influence on their work to Steve Reich.
The climax of the program is “Six Pianos”, with which the pianists will also celebrate on stage Steve Reich's 90th anniversary in 2026.
The “Six Pianos” project is supported by KAWAI.
