# Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich

5 Hacker News commenters recommended Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it as an immersive background for focus and long programming sessions, with a steady, abstract sound that helps them flow. No criticism was recorded.

## Why people recommend it

- Aids focus and programming flow (2 comments): "transports me in an abstract world that let's me flow away and program for hours without noticing" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46139101)) "such a wonderful companion for sustained focus" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47669070))
- Fits focus-oriented playlists (2 comments): "Electric counterpoint and Music for 18 Musicians are regulars in the line up." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47655780)) "Music for 18 Musicians is indeed very well suited" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47909924))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ambient-1-music-for-airports.md): 10 recommend
- [In Rainbows by Radiohead](https://hackerapproved.com/p/in-rainbows.md): 7 recommend
- [OK Computer by Radiohead](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ok-computer.md): 6 recommend
- [Doom soundtrack by Bobby Prince](https://hackerapproved.com/p/doom-soundtrack.md): 6 recommend
- [Has Been by William Shatner](https://hackerapproved.com/p/has-been.md): 5 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich", https://hackerapproved.com/p/music-for-18-musicians/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).