Rolling rhythms

I was a little unprepared for Steve Reich.  Not that I don't love his minimalist repetition (I do) or that I didn't recognise Different trains when it was played, but that variation on a theme which was this concert.  I should have checked the program; it was obvious enough.  This was three works by SR, sandwiching one by Kate Moore, Australian resident in Amsterdam, and another by Meredith Monk.  Clapping music was Florian and Roland Peelman clapping in various interacting syncopations, poly-whatevers, reading a repetitive and slowly sometimes suddenly changing patterns.  Fascinating and to be indicative of the other two by SR: variation over time, rhythm patterns that move suddenly or malleably so you feel comfy counting 4 then realise it's a 3 feel or perhaps both and their relationship is changing then maybe something else intrudes, perhaps with another repetition in whatever time if the same tempo.  It's discombobulating but fascination and very much of our times, or the last few decades.  Different trains was like that too, but different with a string quartet (Dudok) playing against three other recorded quartets (also Dudok) and voices (Dudockians, I guess) looping however.  And this one was amplified so maybe effected.  That I don't know.  I did feel the three recorded quartets were less present and tonally authentic than the real one in front of us, but that would probably be PA or settings.  Guitarist Pavel played the middle SR, again instrument over recorded instrument or more and maybe voice.  Roland Peelman played the solo Kate Moore piano piece in the repetitive, mesmeric style of the concert, and played with violist son Florian for the very NYC Gotham lullaby which was melodic and pretty but again stylistically exploratory.  A very instructive and involving survey of Steve Reich and his influence in a program aptly named American Modern. PS: no group pic at the end so only Dudok after Different trains.

The Dudock Quartet Amsterdam, Pavel Ralev (guitar), Florian Peelman (viola) and Roland Peelman (piano) variously performed Steve Reich, Kate moore and Meredith Monk at the National Gallery for the Canberra International Music Festival.  Dudok comprise Judith Van Driel and Marleen Wester (violins), Marie-Louise de Jong (viola) and David Faber (cello).