The String Quartets
Deutsche Grammophon, 2023
8/10
The New York-based Mivos Quartet recreate 3 of Steve Reich’s string quartets, all of which were inspired by the music of speech, echoes of Bartók and the events of a day transformed by terror.
“WTC 9/11” starts the listen with the an eerie backdrop and vocal soundbites before the haunting strings are mixed in with clips that outline the fear, panic and confusion of the day.
The middle track, “Triple Quartet”, illustrates the dynamic and precise interaction between the quartet, where the quivering strings emit both tension and grace in their very fluid delivery on the purely instrumental selection.
The final piece, the 3 chapters of “Different Trains”, is filled with an anxious energy that’s textured precisely with both live and pre-recorded pieces for effect.
Available for the first time on one album, Reich’s trilogy is fleshed out here with strong attention to detail, as the Mivos Quartet got plenty of input and insight from Reich for the project, and it makes for a substantial and flawless listen.
Travels well with: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla- Weinberg Symphonies Nos. 3 & 7 and Flute Concerto No. 1; Hildur Guðnadóttir- Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture Tár