This is the first publication on sale of Steve Reich’s minimalist classic from 1971. Originally performed without a score by the composer’s own ensemble, and then using a manuscript shorthand version, this is the first time the work is published in a fully notated form.

After initially writing down the work in short hand, Reich would teach members of his ensemble how to play the piece during rehearsals by playing them the patterns, showing how to phase ahead, rehearsing it, and so on. Only after the entire piece was completed did he make an ink manuscript which in many ways was difficult to read, ambiguous as to interpretation and in some cases, mistaken as to note values in the voices and piccolo parts.

For 40 years, this manuscript has circulated and an increasing number of unfortunate performances strayed from the composer’s original intentions.

A few years ago, Reich once again turned to composer Marc Mellits, who had succeeded in putting Music for 18 Musicians into a clear, legible score form, and asked him to help Reich do the same with Drumming. This present edition is the result, adding a major 20^th century work to the prestigious Hawkes Pocket Score series.