Reich: “The Four Sections,” “Music for Mallet...

Reich: “The Four Sections,” “Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ.” Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the London Symphony Orchestra; Steve Reich and Musicians. Elektra Nonesuch 9 79220-2 (compact disc). The title “Four Sections” refers to both the instrumental sections of an orchestra and the four movements of the piece, Reich’s biggest, most fully symphonic effort for orchestra. Pure, unreconstructed minimalism, “Four Sections” builds incremental motivic detail into a superbly crafted immersion in pulse and orchestral color. It receives a performance of both nuance and thrust from Thomas and the Londoners, while the familiar, accompanying piece for Reich’s own ensemble draws an equally relaxed and glowing effort.