Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians
Explore the transcendental soundscapes of a minimalist masterpiece in an immersive performance with Paraorchestra.
Paraorchestra present Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians as a living sonic installation, with the players performing from platforms spaced across The Clore Ballroom.
This is the first time the piece has been performed in such a way, with the orchestra transformed into a living sonic installation.
Music for 18 Musicians was a revelation for orchestral music when it premiered 50 years ago: its thrumming, transcendental soundscape made Steve Reich a household name and propelled minimalism into the mainstream consciousness.
Its influence has reverberated through generations and a myriad of different genres, inspiring artists including David Bowie, Aphex Twin, Björk and Coldcut.
With no barrier between audience and performer, you are invited to experience this iconic piece free from rules, expectation or pretence.
Explore its sublime shifting phases as you move among pulsing marimbas, pianos, and vocals, or simply remain still and allow yourself to be enveloped in sound.
With artistic director Charles Hazlewood and director Faye Stoeser.
Performers
Paraorchestra
Repertoire
Steve Reich: Music for 18 musicians
Need to know
This is a standing/roaming performance, where audiences are invited to move throughout the space. A limited number of seats are available for those with access requirements. Please contact us for more information on [email protected]
Access
To use Audio Description, please let a member of the team know when you arrive so that we can organise a headset for you.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our access information
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.