This new release from the Mivos Quartet (contemporary classical experts – their previous releases are a kaleidoscope of unusual techniques and startling harmonies) collects Reich’s three string quartet pieces (Different Trains, Triple Quartet, and WTC 9/11 in order of composition) with the approval of the man himself.

The yardstick for any performance of these works is always going to be the original Kronos Quartet recordings, but perhaps that’s where the problem lies. Kronos’ performances are so thoroughly emblematic of these works that even the liner notes here seem faintly apologetic; attempting to contrast the two recordings, here they note “a rhythmic clanging… is brought further forward”, and, summarising Mivos’ approach, the quartet here aim to play with “shorter and sharper articulations”, ostensibly to complement the texts of Different Trains and WTC 9/11. That’s maybe a nice point of difference but listening to Kronos and Mivos back-to-back shows the two performances to be extremely similar, notwithstanding a slightly richer recorded tone in this new Mivos performance.