Duet for two Solo Violins and String Orchestra (Dedicated to and written for Yehudi Menuhin)
2
Clapping Music - Steve Reich
3
I. Strings
4
II. Percussion
5
III. Winds and Brass (with Strings)
6
IV. Full Orchestra
Disc: 2
1
I. I Saw a Dream
2
II. My Name is Daniel Pearl
3
III. Let the Dream Fall Back on the Dreaded
4
IV. I Sure Hope Gabriel Likes My Music, When the Day Is Done
5
I. You Are Wherever Your Thoughts Are
6
II. Shiviti Hashem l'negdi
7
III. Explanations Come to an End Somewhere
8
IV. Ehmor m'aht, v'ahsay harbay
Editorial Reviews
This is a double album, honoring the 80th birthday of the minimal music pioneer, Steve Reich. Reich is one of the most influential composers of our time and a key founder of the minimalist school of music. This album is not only a celebration of Reich's birthday but also a result of a 3-year-project that started with his residency as "composer in residence" at the MDR Radio Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra-chors versions of "Daniel" and "You Are Variations" are world premiere recordings. "Duet" was dedicated to and written for Sir Yehudi Menuhin for his 80th birthday while "Clapping Music" is performed by Steve Reich himself alongside Kristjan Järvi.
Product details
Language
:
English
Product Dimensions
:
5.55 x 4.88 x 0.47 inches; 4.23 Ounces
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Inferior to reference recording. These comments apply to Four Sections.The acoustics, pacing, and timbre of these instruments do not leads to any real emotional connections. The original recording especially in the final section builds up up a great tension as the final chords stretch out. In this recording, everything is too fast. Sounds like a showpiece to demonstrate skills. If this ensemble had the skills and finesse to play it this fast, then the more musical element of the [piece might shine through sat this tempo. They don't . Entrances are not together, rhythm is sloppy. As with many recordings of Reich's work, other ensembles fail to capture the romantic and beautify elements of the piece and you're left with a clockwork performance. Stick with dated but vastly original recording of this piece...plus you get an excellent [performance of Music for Voices on that disk.
I purchased this after hearing Järvi conduct the LSO in two of these works at The Barbican. Clearly he's a conductor well suited to Reich's work, but it's difficult to recommend this recording. For a start, it's live, which means that there is jarring applause: sure, it's infrequent, but it occurs twice in the first ten minutes. Secondly, these performances feature a chorus rather than amplified soloists: this counts somewhat against the versions of Daniel variations and You Are because they result in a "muddy" sound, not helped by the way that the orchestra itself has been recorded. Further, the chorus has a heavy accent in the English portion of the texts, which is noticeable on some words and may bother some listeners.
As a result of this, the set is probably best for the "Duet" itself and for The Four Sections: both are somewhat more "popular" & accessible works. Even there, the Tilson Thomas version of The Four Sections is drier and to me preferable. As a well-priced introduction to some of Reich's works the set has some value, but there are either better recordings or better introductions elsewhere.
A great alternative take on some recent Reich pieces. The version of Daniel Variations I prefer to the original...to my ears it sounds wonderful with the larger ensemble.
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