Why Mockingbird?
Just as the mockingbird sings the songs of other birds, we with our unique instrumentation, created a repertoire from the best composers of the past. Our complete repertoire was originally written for other instruments being transcribed by Mike Joseph.
Reviews
MOCKINGBIRD CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
- Mike Joseph: Vibraphone Burt Strompf: Lyric Tuba Julius Baker: Flute Juergen Schwietering: Violin & Viola Glenn Dicterow: Violin & Viola
- CLASSICALY TRAINED VIRTUOSOS Strompf is a genuinely lyric tubist of remarkable finesse and ability. Joseph uses the vibraphone with demonic skill, avoiding electronic vibrato while filling in and fleshing out figured bass harmonies. Schweitering approches the violin with an unfailing passion. The musicial transcriber, Michael Joseph, acquitted himself admirably, taking into account the harpsichord continuo in the trio sonatas of Handel, Telemann, Bach and Gluck by adroitly distributing its music between the vibraphone and tuba devising expert contrpuntal textures. Los Angeles Times, Walter Arlen
- Charming Alternative idea...More than an mockingbird's song Ann Holmes, Houston Chronical
- RARE & MAGICAL Reel News
More Reviews
- MOCKINGBIRD MAGIC : Masters of their instruments....Sound interpretive reflexes....an instrumental combination hither to unknown in musical science.... The late Romanticism of Erno Dohnanyi, whose String Trio emerged here as an uncommomly attractive piece, aristocratic in form with numerous vinegary harmonies and a heart as big as all outdoors. For that alone, one wanted to give MCE a great big hug. Boston Globe, Richard Bruell
- 3 REMARKABLY TALENTED AND INNOVATIVE MUSICIANS....This really first class and novel ensemble play like angels and work beautifully together. Their repetoire was uniformly full of musicall delights thanks to the artistry of these unusally imagintive, daring and gifted musicaians. Schweitering has a sweeping ease of execution, secure technique and a pure sweet tone. One's ear was always rewarded by his performance. Michael Joseph was able to coax unusually legato lines out of his essentially percussive instrument. His skilled use of the sustaining pedal was notable. His uncanny accuracy, sensitivity and dexterity were of the finest. In Burt Strompf's gifted hands, the tuba became an impressively virtousic tool. It was noble, pleading, sturdy, mellow or just a fine basso continuo . He ranged the absolute limits of the tuba with his amazing artistry. Nathlie Plotkin, The Sunday Peninsula Herald, Monterery, California