The New York Philharmonic and Synergy Vocals premiere at Lincoln Center a new work by Steve Reich, “Jacob’s Ladder”, for large ensemble and voices.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the world premiere of a new work by composer Steve Reich for ensemble and voices will take place in New York. Entitled Jacob’s Ladder, the premiere will take place at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall and will be performed by the New York Philharmonic and the choral group Synergy Vocals, conducted by Dutchman Jaap van Zweden. The piece, approximately 20 minutes long and scored for large ensemble plus two sopranos and two tenors, recreates Hebrew verses from Genesis 28:11-19 and is part of a programme that will also include Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished” and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” in E-flat major, Op. 73. The programme will be performed again on Friday 6 and Saturday 7.
Reich’s publisher, Boosey & Hawkes, has published on its website a short interview with the New York composer, in which, among other statements, Reich explains the differences between Jacob’s Ladder and his earlier works written for voices: “In almost all my pieces with voices singing a text – Proverb, Tehillim, Desert Music or Traveler’s Prayer – the singers start, and they almost never stop. It’s a real workout. But in Jacob’s Ladder, there’s more instrumental music than vocal music. Even from the beginning, when the voices introduce the text, it’s close to 50-50 vocal to instrumental music. It became clear right from the start that I was going to give free rein to the instruments. The instrumental music interprets the movement of messenger/angels going up, down, or pausing on a ladder (or ladders) between heaven and earth; a musical interpretation without words. The European premiere of Jacob’s Ladder will take place at Maison de la Radio et de la Musique in Paris, performed by Ensemble Intercontemporain and Synergy Vocals, led by George Jackson. The piece will be the cornerstone of a major retrospective of Reich’s music, presented as part of Festival Présences 2024 from Feb 5-11. During the week, his music will be featured across twelve events, with performances by Ensemble intercontemporain, Synergy Vocals, Colin Currie Group, Roomful of Teeth, Orchestre National de France, and more. The Hallé in Manchester will also present a three-concert Reich festival, including a performance of Electric Counterpoint by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood.