The Four Sections is an orchestral work by the minimalist American composer Steve Reich.
The piece was commissioned for the San Francisco Symphony in honour of its 75th anniversary by the widow of Ralph Dorfman.
[1] It was completed in August 1987 and given its premiere that year on 7 October conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas in Davies Hall.
The work consists of the following movements: The original idea for The Four Sections was suggested by Tilson Thomas in terms of a Concerto for Orchestra.
Instead, Reich saw the orchestra as a means to explore further the ideas presented in works like Six Marimbas and Violin Phase, where identical instruments are interlocked.