Steve Reich: Jacob's Ladder/Traveler's Prayer (CD)

Nonesuch Records releases an album comprising the first recordings of Steve Reich’s two latest works – Jacob’s Ladder (2023) and Traveler’s Prayer (2020). Jacob’s Ladder, performed by the New York Philharmonic led by Jaap van Zweden with Synergy Vocals, was made during its October 2023 world premiere at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall

The premiere recording of Traveler’s Prayer, performed by Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals, was made at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, also in 2023. The two pieces were first released earlier this year as part of Steve Reich Collected Works, a twenty-seven-disc box set featuring music recorded during the composer’s forty years on the label.

Track List:

1. Jacob’s Ladder: I. Genesis 28:12 – By Steve Reich, New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden & Synergy Vocals
2. Jacob’s Ladder: II. Vayachalom (And he dreamed) – By Steve Reich, New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden & Synergy Vocals
3. Jacob’s Ladder: III. V’hinei, sulam mutzav artza (And behold, a ladder set up on the Earth) – By Steve Reich, New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden & Synergy Vocals
4. Jacob’s Ladder: IV. V’rosho magia hashamayima (And its top reached heaven) – By Steve Reich, New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden & Synergy Vocals
5. Jacob’s Ladder: V. V’hinei, malachei Elokim olim v’yordim bo (And behold, messengers of G-d ascending and descending on it) – By Steve Reich, New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden & Synergy Vocals
6. Traveler’s Prayer – By Steve Reich, Colin Currie, Colin Currie Group & Synergy Vocals