In July 2015, Steve Reich’s Clapping Music was released on the on the iTunes App Store. Developed by Touchpress, the London Sinfonietta, and Queen Mary University of London, Steve Reich’s Clapping Music brings Reich’s seminal work, Clapping Music, to a digital platform, offering an interactive experience in learning and understanding rhythmic patterns.
Aiming to create a game that is both fun and educational, the three partners (brought together by Nesta) set out with the idea of using Steve Reich’s music to teach people rhythmic skills and engage a wider audience with contemporary classical music. By incorporating levels of gameplay and integrating educational videos and explanations, the program embraces Steve Reich’s approach to musical architecture; the result is an addictive app that brings the user through the full score of Clapping Music.
“Forget ‘Angry Birds,’ or ‘2048.’ The latest star of a maddeningly addictive iPhone game is the composer Steve Reich.”
—The New York Times
“…brilliant – and infuriatingly addictive…”
—The Guardian
“…perfectly modern and delightful.”
—The Globe and Mail