Notes and Editorial Reviews
Chamber music CDs rarely contain such a diversity of composers as are collected here. Such a disc must have some additional appeal to make its release worthwhile and here it is the arrangements that provide that attraction. Mark Volkert is the driving force behind this recording yet he modestly does not refer to information about his arrangements in his CD notes. We have to turn to the case inlay to read this credit. Volkert's arrangements are attractive and are played with good pace that gives a fresh appeal to the pieces.
The playing is excellent, which is just as well since the fairly closely-miked sound stage would have amplified any errors. There is optimum balance between players, but on occasions I would have liked to
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have more variation introduced with regard to dynamics. To a Wild Rose is a delicate piece where a more pianissimo accompaniment by viola and cello could have been used to advantage, for example. The studio acoustic adds an attractive bloom in resonance for the lower register of the cello and this gives an enhanced richness to the recording.
The potted notes in English give a brief comment on the composers and their pieces as well as biographies of the soloists.
-- Raymond Walker, MusicWeb International
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"Violinist Mark Volkert's skilful arrangements for string trio are felicitous and idiomatic, so much that one quickly forgets the originals... All three veer towards the espressivo side of romantic... The recording is pleasingly full and rounded..." -- Julian Haylock, The Strad
"The playing abounds with a spirit of unanimity and good humor… The players make an elegant case for this music; the individual voices are distinct, and the blend they achieve is dynamic. It's highly recommended for chamber music aficionados." -- Georgia Rowe, Contra Costa Times [8/17/2003]
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Works on This Recording
1.
Sonatas (3) for Piano, Op. 118 "für die Jugend": no 3 in C major by Robert Schumann
Performer:
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1853; Germany
2.
Pieces (3) for Piano by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Mark Volkert (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: Russia
3.
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: no 1, To a Wild Rose by Edward MacDowell
Performer:
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; USA
4.
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: no 2, Will-o'-the-Wisp by Edward MacDowell
Performer:
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Geraldine Walther (Viola)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; USA
5.
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: no 9, By a Meadow Brook by Edward MacDowell
Performer:
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Mark Volkert (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; USA
6.
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: no 3, At an Old Trysting Place by Edward MacDowell
Performer:
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; USA
7.
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: no 7, From Uncle Remus by Edward MacDowell
Performer:
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; USA
8.
Rondino on a theme by Beethoven by Fritz Kreisler
Performer:
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: Austria
9.
March of the Toy Soldiers by Fritz Kreisler
Performer:
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: Austria
10.
Fortune Teller: Always do as People Say you Should by Victor Herbert
Performer:
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Mark Volkert (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898; USA
11.
Naughty Marietta: Zing, Zing "Italian Street Song" by Victor Herbert
Performer:
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1910; USA
12.
Mademoiselle Modiste: Kiss me again by Victor Herbert
Performer:
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Mark Volkert (Violin),
Jan Volkert (Cello)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1905; USA
13.
Fortune Teller: Czardas by Victor Herbert
Performer:
Jan Volkert (Cello),
Geraldine Walther (Viola),
Mark Volkert (Violin)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
The Volkert-Walther String Trio
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898; USA
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