Download in iTunes/Apple Music
Listen on Spotify
“Grafilo’s sensitivity to Mahler actually comes through particularly well… all these quartet adaptations can and perhaps should be regarded as experiments in sonority and emotional communication, and if they are not entirely Mahlerian in the former of those ways, they are highly effective in the latter. Much credit for their expressive impact goes to mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, who is equally adept with the lilt of parts of Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen; the quiet anguish of most of Kindertotenlieder; and the explosive beginning and middle of the latter cycle’s final song, In diesem Wetter.Scharich feels as well as sings the music, and varies her delivery of the texts to mostly excellent effect. …the singing and emotion here are first-rate, and the Alexander String Quartet is excellent throughout, supporting Scharich when called for, interacting with her when the music so requires, and providing contrast to her vocalizing when that is appropriate. Grafilo’s arrangements almost always lie well on the instruments (no small feat), and while listeners familiar with these song cycles will surely miss some of the many elegant and piquant touches that Mahler brought to them, anyone who loves and appreciates the music should easily hear the respect reflected both in the instrumentation here and in the singing. Certainly this is not the version of these song cycles to own, but certainly it is a version that is very much worth having.”
—InfoDad Reviews
See the full review on the InfoDad blog
Purchase now on Amazon, iTunes/Apple Music, ArkivMusic, Spotify, HIGHRESAUDIO, or wherever you get music!