Karolos: Fokkens, Joseph, Mozart

The Strad Issue: July 2025

Description: A slow-burn approach reaps rich rewards

Musicians: Karolos

Works: Fokkens: Dawn Chants on the Umfolozi; Limping Song. Joseph: Bring it! Mozart: Divertimento K563

Catalogue number: FIRST HAND RECORDS FHR167 

Mozart’s Divertimento in E flat major belongs at the very centre of the string trio repertoire, but the present players – violinist Harriet Mackenzie, violist Sarah-Jane Bradley and cellist Graham Walker, the string faction of Karolos, a flexible chamber group that has been around for over a decade – have taken their time before putting their interpretation on record. And with profit, too, since this reading shows a close understanding of each other’s playing.

Individually and collectively, their way with agogics, subtle differentiation of Mozart’s varying articulation marks and shaping of appoggiaturas and trills, are the result of long, unhurried preoccupation with the music. The two minuets dance joyously, as does the finale, while the central movement’s mercurial variations shine the limelight upon each instrument in turn. Excellent as the recording quality is throughout the whole album, the perfect balance achieved is certainly of the players’ doing.

The Mozart is enterprisingly combined with two recent compositions receiving their premiere recordings. Robert Fokkens brings together European and indigenous elements from his South African homeland in music of a strangely fascinating hue, featuring some tripping rhythms, percussive effects and even a short vocal contribution from the players. Some improvised moments sound completely of a piece in Karolos’s enthusiastic interpretation.

It also makes an engaging case for Julian Joseph’s jazzy, bittersweet harmonic world in Bring It! Useful introductory notes from Fokkens and Joseph on their own music, and by Bradley on the Mozart, enhance this most recommendable release.

CARLOS MARÍA SOLARE