Reich, Steve.

comprising a passage of eight bars, numbered 494 to [501], notated in full score in black ink on a single six-stave system, the instruments designated: "3 oboes + Electric Organs/ Strings + Electric Organ/ Trumpets/ Trombones + Tuba", 1 page, c.12.5 x 35cms, from 2 overlapping sections of 6-stave manuscript paper, secured with translucent adhesive tape, small tears and holes, 1980 

War Child Exhibition and auction, entitled ' Little Pieces from Big Stars', 27 September 1994 at the Royal School of Art, London

http://www.warchild.org/Interactive_Galleries/LittlePieces/littlepieces.html

 

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Steve Reich's Variations for Winds, Strings & Keyboard was first performed at the Carnegie Hall , New York on 19 February 1980.  It was Reich's first work for orchestra, including a full complement of strings, his previous works being for chamber groups with specified numbers of performers.

Steve Reich (b.1936) is the latest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music, which he was awarded this April for his piece "Double Sextet".  Reich was one of the first masters of the modern style of repetitive music, where cells evolve slowly into ever more intricate musical patterns.  This is often termed "minimalist music", although the term seems inappropriate for the sophistication and variety found in Reich's works such as Drumming (1971) or Music for 18 Musicians (1976) or Different Trains (1988).  However his music has been an important influence on minimalist composers such as John Adams and Philip Glass.