[contextly_auto_sidebar] LAST night I caught "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" -- one of the historically earliest of August Wilson's cycle of plays about black life in the 20th century -- at the Mark Taper Forum. This production, directed by Phylicia Rashad (best known for her role on "The Cosby Show"), has been justly celebrated already, so I will just introduce it and add a few details. Despite … [Read more...]
Archives for October 3, 2016
Happy 80th to Steve Reich
A FEW years back I spent an hour or so with Steve Reich before a concert of his work. Here is the story I wrote about the pioneering minimalist, who marks his 80th birthday today. I was struck by how down to earth Reich was, also how deep his love of Bartok seemed to be. Reich's "Different Trains" and "Music for 18 Musicians" are two of my all-time favorite pieces. Seeing the latter at Walt … [Read more...]