This is a difficult album to sit with - because of the title piece, Different Trains, which is of course a famous piece of modern music which contains the dreadful weight of our twentieth century history within it. 'Inspired' by an awareness of the musical and rhythmic possibilities of the sound of trains, Reich wove these train sounds, together with recorded speech, and strong music, into a 3 movement piece, America before the war, Europe During the war years, Europe after the war. The dark despair of certain train journeys in Europe is overwhelming in this piece, their destinations underscored by the voices of camp survivors woven into the last 2 movements. A horrific, horrifying piece. It IS a piece of music, but one which I find it impossible to relate to in terms of musical interpretation. It is a piece which had to be written, given events, but should NEVER have had to be written, at least the last 2 movements, hence the unbearableness of this piece.
I am grateful for the ordering of the pieces in this. I have a version Different Trains / Electric Counterpoint with Pat Methany, and have to say I cannot listen to anything after Different Trains itself, as I am too overwhelmed. It seems equally impossible, disrespectful, to ignore DT and just play Electric Counterpoint.
On this disc, I can come to DT after the experience of the very very beautiful Triple Quartet, and Duet. Music which is edgy, driving, containing that sense of movement and journey - indeed, it hints, inexorably at the Different Trains which darkly await, but I can be moved by the strange beauty of the dissonance of these cross rhythms, arising lyrical lines which weave through close, jarring harmonic. 'Triple Quartet' is so called because the quartet either accompanies itself, having prerecorded, twice, itself playing the music, if it happens 'live' or has 3 quartets playing together. Triple Quartet Duet - duetting violins and doubled viola and cello duets is lyrical, sweet, and warm, dedicated by Reich to, and inspired by, Yehudi Menuhin for his humanitarian works
I have recently discovered the Smith Quartet. I am enamoured.
Comment Comment | Permalink
Buy new:
$12.60$12.60
$3.99
delivery:
June 26 - 29
Ships from: Classical Music Superstore Sold by: Classical Music Superstore
Buy new:
$12.60$12.60
$3.99
delivery:
June 26 - 29
Ships from: Classical Music Superstore
Sold by: Classical Music Superstore
Save with Used - Like New
$9.50$9.50
FREE delivery:
June 28 - 29
Ships from: Sean Franklin St Sold by: Sean Franklin St
Save with Used - Like New
$9.50$9.50
FREE delivery:
June 28 - 29
Ships from: Sean Franklin St
Sold by: Sean Franklin St
Other Sellers on Amazon
Added
Not added
$17.29
FREE Shipping
on orders over $25.00
shipped by Amazon.
FREE Shipping
Get free shipping
Free shipping
within the U.S. when you order $25.00
of eligible items shipped by Amazon.
Or get faster shipping on this item starting at $5.99
. (Prices may vary for AK and HI.)
Learn more about free shipping
Sold by: Amazon.com
Added
Not added
$15.79
+ $3.99 shipping
+ $3.99 shipping
Sold by: OxfordshireEngland
Sold by: OxfordshireEngland
(159261 ratings)
90% positive over last 12 months
90% positive over last 12 months
In stock.
Usually ships within 3 to 4 days.
Shipping rates and Return policy Usually ships within 3 to 4 days.
Added
Not added
$18.13
+ $3.99 shipping
+ $3.99 shipping
Sold by: Zoverstocks
Sold by: Zoverstocks
(840229 ratings)
94% positive over last 12 months
94% positive over last 12 months
In stock.
Usually ships within 4 to 5 days.
Shipping rates and Return policy Usually ships within 4 to 5 days.
Have one to sell?
Image Unavailable
Image not available for
Color:
Color:
-
-
-
- Sorry, this item is not available in
- Image not available
- To view this video download Flash Player
Different Trains
-30% $12.60$12.60
List Price: $17.99$17.99
The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Learn more
-47% $9.50$9.50
List Price: $17.99$17.99
The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Learn more
See all 2 formats and editions
Hide other formats and editions
| Listen Now with Amazon Music |
|
Different Trains
"Please retry" | Amazon Music Unlimited |
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
MP3 Music, November 15, 2005
"Please retry" | $9.49 | — |
Track Listings
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | America - Before the War |
| 5 | Europe - During the War |
| 6 | After the War |
Product details
- Product Dimensions : 5.69 x 0.4 x 5.15 inches; 3.52 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Signum
- Item model number : SIGCD064
- Original Release Date : 2005
- Date First Available : January 31, 2007
- Label : Signum
- ASIN : B000AOVL4K
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #297,777 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #5,669 in Classical Concertos
- #11,655 in Chamber Music (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
15 global ratings
How customer reviews and ratings work
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2013
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 30, 2010
The signature piece here, "Different Trains," was inspired by Steve Reich's experiences travelling by rail during the time of World War II. The composition earned him a grammy for best contemporary classical composition in 1989 and has been recorded by the Duke String Quartet, the Kronos Quartet, and here by the Smith Quartet. This rendition was elected one of the 250 greatest recordings of all time by an elite panel of artists and critics for Gramophone Magazine's June 2010 issue. A moving interpretation of a modern classic.
Top reviews from other countries
Geoffrey Lester
4.0 out of 5 stars
the Telegraph book of Great Railway Journeys
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 26, 2016
I did not know what to expect as I read of Steve Reich in a book on the 'Last Call for the Dining Car', the Telegraph book of Great Railway Journeys. A new experience of listening to a different expression of music which I found rewarding.
Michael Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 2, 2022
excellent recording
2 people found this helpful
Report
Antoine Barrière
5.0 out of 5 stars
Une ouvre majeure
Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on January 1, 2019
Une très bonne version de cette oeuvre majeure de Steve Reich (courant minimaliste)
Crock
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brill :-)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 16, 2013
Heard this on the radio originally and had to buy a copy. Wonderful music if you like something a little different.
2 people found this helpful
Report
Open Web Player

