This performance was recorded in 1989 in Shanghai, and mixed later in Hollywood by Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Riley. It seems there were problems at the recording, partly due to tuning differences between China & Western music but also because the musicians were not used to having a free hand, to improvise the number of repeats of the 53 patterns that make up the piece. This released performance clocks in at 28 minutes, but first takes were only in the region of only 10 or 12 minutes!
It's an interesting mix.
"In C" is perhaps a greater idea than a piece of actual music, but I do like it.
I also have an album that is a Javanese take on "In C", which is perhaps a more natural mix than the Chinese version - "Gamelan of Central Java - XV. Returning Minimalism: In Nem". Recorded in 2009. It's inspired by "In C" rather than a performance of it. A good album.
There is also a purely vocal version available, which intrigues me. I've only heard an extract, but must get the full version sometime.
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