John Adams - Grand Pianola Music / Steve Reich - Vermont Counterpoint, Eight Lines (1985)

Adams & Reich always complement each other well on disc, so here's a great recording from the 80s, originally issued on LP in 1984 without Vermont Counterpoint, then as an expanded CD a year later.  The main work is John Adams' 32-minute Grand Pianola Music, composed in 1981.  The creative spark was a dream Adams had, of being pursued on the interstate by black limousines transforming into pianos.  It does chug along with the lightness of an atmospheric dreamscape, assisted by wordless female voices.  The more forceful third movement gives it a dramatic conclusion.

Steve Reich's Vermont Counterpoint was commissioned in 1982 by flautist Ransom Wilson, who plays it here.  When performed live, the piece can either be played by eleven flutes or a soloist with a tape backing, the parts weaving in and out of each other to create another dreamlike atmosphere.  Closing this collection is Eight Lines, which was a slightly rewritten version of Octet from Reich's time at ECM (see links below).  The main difference is that Eight Lines doubles the string quartet to make performance easier; this is a fine version, but I think I prefer the original, maybe just from familiarity.

Original CD cover, 1985

link
pw: sgtg

John Adams at SGTG:
The Chairman Dances, etc
Road Movies, etc
Harmonium etc (scroll past main post)
Steve Reich at SGTG:
Drumming, Six Pianos etc
Octet etc
Tehilim
Sextet/Six Marimbas + bonus concert feat. Music For 18 Musicians
Adams & Reich:
Variations/Shaker Loops