Radio Rewrite is a 2012 work for instrumental ensemble by American composer Steve Reich, inspired by two songs by British rock band Radiohead, "Jigsaw Falling into Place" and "Everything in Its Right Place". The piece represents the first time that Reich has reworked material from western pop/rock music. It has five movements, alternating fast and slow, and is scored for clarinet, flute, two violins, viola, cello, two vibraphones, two pianos and electric bass. The work premiered in London, UK in 2013, performed by the London Sinfonietta, to a generally positive reception. Much attention focused on the Radiohead material, with some reviewers praising how completely it is integrated, while others question whether Radiohead's style is suited to Reich's work.The premiere gained substantial media attention in the UK. Radio Rewrite was generally well received by classical music critics, with the concert receiving four out of five stars in reviews by the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph, and three stars from The Independent and The Times. Laura Battle, writing in the Financial Times, describes the piece as "rich and impressive," and comments on its atmospheric writing and "sense of wistfulness." The Telegraph's Ivan Hewett calls it "a fine display of compositional mastery." Stephen Pritchard, reviewing for The Observer, describes the piece as "instantly accessible, instantly enjoyable," and draws attention to the "pearlescent luminosity" of the vibraphones.
From a rock perspective, Peter Culshaw at theartsdesk.com describes the Radiohead references as "a bit peek-a-boo and Spot That Tune," and is unconvinced by the work as a whole, writing that the slow sections show "flashes of real beauty, over enjoyably dissonant chords, but as a whole isn't entirely satisfying. ... The slow parts at times left a queasy impression – like someone painting a strange coloured rose on top of a Mondrian or a Bridget Riley."
