Steve Reich wrote the work "Nagoya Marimbas" in response to a commission from the Nagoya College of Music in Japan. When fellow composer Aaron Jay Kernis first heard that work, he noted to his friend David Tannenbaum that the work might be suited to a guitar transcription. Tannenbaum agreed, and completed the transcription while consulting with Reich. The resulting work suits the two guitars it is written for quite well. Reich, of course, is among America's most prominent minimalist composers, and "Nagoya Guitars" is a thoroughly minimalist work. It begins with a darting, mostly descending theme in the bass, and, after much chordal churning and unceasing movement, eventually ends up on a similar but ascending theme in a much higher register. All of the best features of Reich's minimalism are here: tension arises from repetition, the unstoppable movement gives the piece momentum, and the development of the theme, handled gradually, seems inevitable and right as one listens. Those who enjoy minimalist works will find this work to be right up their alley.



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