Double Sextet

work by Reich

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Double Sextet is a musical composition by American composer Steve Reich, a leading figure in Minimalism. Minimalism is a style characterized by repetitions and slow variations of simple musical ideas. Reich's Double Sextet, composed in 2007, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2009. The work can be performed by 12 musicians or by 6 musicians playing against a recording of themselves. A sextet is a musical composition for six voices or instruments.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Steve Reich
His composition Double Sextet (2007), arranged either for 12 musicians or for 6 playing against a recording of themselves, won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music. In commemoration of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, Reich composed WTC 9/11: For Three String Quartets…
Read More
His composition Double Sextet (2007), arranged either for 12 musicians or for 6 playing against a recording of themselves, won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music. In commemoration of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, Reich composed WTC 9/11: For Three String Quartets…
Read More