Search - Kronos Quartet :: Reich: Triple Quartet, Music for a Large Ensemble, Electric Guitar Phase

Recycled Reich...

svf | 11/02/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The music on this "new" Steve Reich release falls into two distinct categories:ACTUAL NEW MATERIAL (15 minutes)
"Triple Quartet": A slight improvement over other recent ventures ("The Cave," "City Life"), however quite grating to listen to... a lack of critical rhythmic interest with static mildly dissonant harmonic content combines for an unrewarding listen that seems to go on for longer than the 14 minutes it actually lasts. A major disappointment compared to "Different Trains," the previous Kronos collaboration. RECYCLED FILLER MATERIAL (40 minutes)
1. "Electric Guitar Phase": When this same piece is heard as "Violin Phase" (on the 1980 ECM recording) it's long and somewhat tedious yet rewarding upon further listening with an exciting virtuoso feel that a live violinist brings to the table. As performed on overdubbed electric guitars, it is devoid of humanity and fire, losing all hope of holding the listeners attention for the duration. Why this piece seemed worth recording on electric guitar is beyond me. Ugh. 2. "Music for a Large Ensemble": This arrangement/performance is a little cleaner and more transparent than its ECM cousin (that same record that had "Violin Phase" on it. Hmmm.) You can hear some details here that weren't as apparent on the older recording. However, despite the shiny finish, this performance seems to lack the fresh energy and attack heard on the ECM version. So an interesting listen for the overly Reich-obsessed, but nothing revelatory. 3. "Tokyo/Vermont Counterpoint": Completely inferior to the version for flutes as recorded by Ransom Wilson. It is a damn shame that this recording is unavailable on CD at this time: it is a performance brimming with energy, humanity and humor, a virtuoso tour-de-force. As performed on "MIDI Marimbas" (whatever that means) it sounds hollow, monochromatic, electronic, and dull. Blah. OVERALL: Yet another disappointing Nonesuch Reich release, 75% unsuccessful recycling, 25% sub-standard new material. And I write this as a 10+ year admirer and fan of Steve Reich's music desperately wanting to like this CD. Rats."

What a difference re-orchestration makes

Kevin S. Currie | Richmond, VA | 11/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Last year I purchased the 'complete' Steve Reich works on Nonesuch and was confused as to the missing works. This, save for 'phase patterns' and 'pendullum music', completes it.

Electric guitar phase is amazing. I'd only heard its origional version for violin a few times and the middle and ending were too muddy. The treble and subtle harmonic overtones on the guitar are much better. The best thing about the phasing technique though is that rush you get everytime a new phase locks in. Wow! I agree with the reviewer below who noticed that the 'Large Ensemble' was not as tight as they could be. The sheer syncopation written into this piece demands aboslute precision and I came away feeling that it hadn't been achieved here. In contrast, I could have done with a less tight vermont counterpoint. THe beauty of all Reich's couterpoint works have been that they allow the ear to 'pick' between following the whole or an individual line. I found this impossible to do here. THe anchor of the CD (Triple Quartet) was brilliant. I wish that the two other versions (orchestral string section and three quartets live) could've been on the CD as well. In closing the first two peices are the meat and potatoes. The last two peices despite in my opinion their performance flaws, serve as a worthy soup and salad."

Wow!

I X Key | tomorrow | 03/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Reich is such a great creative genius. The title piece, Triple Quartet, is very new music for Steve Reich. One factor in this was that just before & during composition of this piece he heard Schnittke for this first time. It's different from other music by Reich, but it's also quintissentially Reich. To me it kind of feels like a caravan, camels & sands & silks & all. It's the Kronos Quartet playing over 2 tapes of themselves.Electric Guitar Phase is a rescoring of Violin Phase, & it sounds very different from the original. The electric guitar, with some distortion, is certainly a change.The Music for a Large Ensemble on this cd is a revised version of the original piece, & it does sound very different. Good work, Reich, I do prefer the new version on this cd.Tokyo/Vermont Counterpoint is crazy music. This & Electric Guitar Phase are the 2 pieces on this great cd that feel extremely futuristic in different ways. After numerous times people tried to perform it, this is the only one to satisfy Steve Reich.I wouldn't recommend this cd as an introduction to Steve Reich's music, but for established fans it's very exciting new music from a protean composer."