Steve Reich Turns 90, Premieres New Composition

At 14, a young Steve Reich first heard Stravinsky and decided to pursue a career as a composer. Born in New York in 1936, he has spent six decades shaping the musical landscape of Europe and North America, earning praise from critics and artists alike—including David Bowie—and being described by The New Yorker as “the most original musical thinker of our time.”

Reich’s 10th decade has already seen a flurry of celebrations. The world premiere of his new large‑ensemble work, In All Your Ways, opened the Edinburgh Festival last month, followed by a late‑night concert at the BBC Proms. When asked about turning 90 on 3 October, the composer replied with characteristic modesty: “I haven’t quite got there yet. I don’t want to dot the i before I even get there. I’ll let you know in due course …”

As the composer approaches his nonagenarian milestone, the music world continues to honor his enduring influence, noting that his innovative approach to rhythm and texture has become a defining soundtrack of modern life.