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Steve Reich's New "Documentary Music"

The minimalist composer's new piece, Different Trains, contrasts Reich's childhood experiences crossing the country by rail to visit his divorced parents with the memories of Holocaust survivors' journey to concentration camps. The music incorporates recordings of several interviews into the orchestration.

09:58
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Other segments from the episode on March 31, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 31, 1989: Interview with Carl Sautter; Commentary on jazz and the return of Spring; Interview with Steve Reich; Review of Alexander Stuart's novel "The War Zone."

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