The experimental American composer Steve Reich studied the work of the philosopher Wittgenstein at Cornell University, subsequently studying composition with Milhaud and with Berio. He showed an early interest in electro-acoustic music, then in the music of Africa. He has experimented particularly with the multiple use of the same instrument and forms of exact but not simultaneous repetition.

Instrumental Music
Steve Reich’s instrumental music includes Variations for wind, strings and keyboard, Music for 18 Musicians, and a number of works that make use of unusual combinations of instruments – often a variety of percussion instruments – with recorded tape.