Ana-Marija Markovina - Wolf, H.: Piano Music (2007)

„Little things are able to charm us as well…” This line from Hugo Wolf’s “Italian Songbook” surely applies as well to the piano works on this GENUIN CD by the great master of song. And the delightful one-minute-long “Joke and Play” is hardly larger than the “olive fruit” mentioned by Wolf’s poet Heyse. With her third GENUIN publication, Ana-Marija Markovina has once again given us a CD that should not be missing from any piano-lover’s shelf. There are almost classical piano variations, a light, Mendelssohnian rondo and an entrancing lullaby. To conclude the CD, Markovina offers a bravura display of fireworks by Wolf, the Wagnerian: with explosive outbursts but clear diction and wonderful control, the Meistersinger pass by us in procession, before the Valkyries are sung to sleep in the crimson glow of the sky…

"Ana-Marija Markovina dedicates herself to these experimental miniatures with great energy and commitment. The Schlummerlied (Lullaby), the Rondo Capriccioso reminiscent of Mendelssohn and the one-minute Scherz und Spiel (Joke and Game) are delightfully light. Markovina is able to reflect the naturalness of this music."