A LIEDER ALIVE! Commissioned Project with the Alexander String Quartet featuring Artist-in-Residence Kindra Scharich.
The origins of this Mahler project came about during an Alexander String Quartet road trip in late 2014. At a random truck stop, Paul asked, “What do you think about arranging some Mahler, Wagner and Strauss song cycles for string quartet and voice?” I already had some experience arranging Shostakovich and Brahms, but I had never even considered arranging for string quartet with voice. Not one to turn down a challenge, I said, “Sure, I can see how that might work…let me have a stab at it.” Little did I know that Paul Yarbrough and Kindra Scharich had already been discussing the possibility of an ASQ-Scharich collaboration, and the focal point of that collaboration would be these Mahler arrangements.
Many thanks to resident Mahlerian specialist, Peter Grünberg. Through Peter’s generous help, guidance and knowledge (not only of Mahler in general, but of these cycles in particular), arranger Zakarias Grafilo was able to maintain a sense of continuity and authenticity in recreating Mahler’s sound world within a vocal–chamber music context. Affording audiences (not to mention singers and string quartets) the chance to experience this repertoire in an intimate chamber music setting is not only more practical, but some may feel it is more emotionally fitting to the subject matter as well.
Reviews
“Grafilo’s sensitivity to Mahler actually comes through particularly well…. 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….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…anyone who loves and appreciates the music should easily hear the respect reflected both in the instrumentation here and in the singing….[this] is a version that is very much worth having.” — InfoDad Reviews (Dec. 2018, FCL 2019 In meinem Himmel)
“Zakarias Grafilo, violinist with the Alexander String Quartet, has transcribed these wonderful song cycles, saying that he ‘Wanted to recreate some of the aural colours from the orchestral instrumentation while maintaining the intimacy of the piano version. I also wanted to integrate the solo voice as a fifth member of the ensemble, weaving in and out of the musical texture not only as soloist, but also as an equal member in this chamber music collaboration.’ His aim is achieved perfectly in these beautiful recordings by the Alexander Quartet with the excellent American mezzo soprano Kindra Scharich.” — New Classics (FCL 2019 In meinem Himmel)
“…transcriber violinist Zakarias Grafilo, gave much thought and effort to preserve some of the aural colours and even the emotional ‘innigkeit’ of the original… Idiomatic and virtuoso string playing and the singing is simply gorgeous. Young American mezzo Kindra Scharich has a beautiful voice, total emotional commitment and musical imagination that certainly makes worthwhile listening. Her soulful, anguished tone when the rejected lover sings about the two beautiful blue eyes of his lost sweetheart (Die zwei blauen Augen) is simply heartbreaking and I just loved her voice so full of joy in exclaiming Heia! in Ging heut morgen.” — Janos Gardonyi, The Whole Note (Mar. 2019, FCL 2019 In meinem Himmel)