Steve Reich rare private press Drumming 2lps

$

153

Steve Reich: Drumming (1971 for 8 small tuned drums, 3 marimbas, 3 glockenspiels, male and female voices, whistling, and piccolo). Private pressing "published by John Gibson+Multiples New York and Los Angeles"

An extremely scarce double lp, this is the original limited edition private issue artist's record from 1971 of a complete live performance of Reich's epic work (Deutsche Grammophon would release their Drumming box set 3 years later). Reich's own extensive notes, diagrams, and photos decorate the unique cover and inner gatefold. This hypnotic and meditative minimalist piece is structured around a single basic rhythmic pattern (notation for which is provided in the inner cover) which gradually undergoes changes of phase position, pitch, and timbre; the vocalists are instructed to mimic the drum sounds. The recording was made at one of the premier performances of the piece, at Town Hall in New York in December 1971, and features the playing of Reich himself and Joan La Barbara (this is her earliest appearance on any lp!), as well as others figures from the New York minimalist and avant garde scene during that period.

The album was published by art gallery owner John Gibson in a signed and numbered edition of 500. HOWEVER, this copy does not appear to be signed or numbered, and as such is apparently an even rarer test pressing/unsigned artist's proof; it comes from the collection of composer, author, and music and dance teacher Pia Gilbert, who corresponded and exchanged records with Reich and probably received it from him personally. I do not know how else this copy differs from the officially released numbered edition as I don't have one which I can use for comparison; if anyone has another copy of this or can identify obvious differences please write me an email. I did notice some spelling mistakes ("Joan La Barbera") and I'm wondering if those were corrected in the official release.

Steve Reich studied with Luciano Berio and Darius Milhaud, and is associated with the late 20th century 'minimalism' movement involving repetition and just intonation along with Philip Glass, John Adams, Terry Riley, and Tony Conrad. Drumming has qualities of droning and eastern music influenced by La Monte Young, Pauline Oliveros, gamelan, and Indian music such as Shri Swapan Chaudhuri, Ustad Alla Rakha, Pandit Pran Nath and Ravi Shankar.

Vinyl Condition: ex to nm- (all 4 sides play without any noticeable flaws)
Cover Condition: ex (faint wear on front and back)















I have other lps with Reich and La Barbara for sale. Check out my other auctions this week for more 20th century classical, avant garde/experimental, early electronic/electro-acoustic, atonal, serialist, and minimalist lps.

Shipping will be 3.85 for 1-2 single records for media rate to US destinations, then 0.50 for each additional; Canada airmail is 6.50; Europe/UK/Scandinavia is 6.85 surface or 11.85 air; Japan/Australia is 7.00 surface or 13.50 air; other international destinations vary. Combine multiple items to save on shipping. I prefer Paypal (which also allows for fastest possible shipment) and also accept cash or money order. If you are paying by Paypal and have won multiple items, please use a single lump Paypal payment. Feel free to email me if you have any questions (need more info, want more pictures, etc.); you can use the 'ask seller a question' link above. My condition rating scale is -G+/-VG+/-EX+/-NM/M (only sealed records are M).

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