Konrad Wölki
Konrad Wölki (1904–1983) was a German composer, mandolinist and music educator whose works helped shape the modern repertoire for plucked-string orchestra. He wrote extensively for mandolin and guitar ensembles and published teaching methods and a history of the mandolin.
Wölki is widely regarded as a founding figure of modern German plucked-string music. Through original scores, arrangements and pedagogy he showed the colour and dramatic range open to the Zupforchester, and he argued for a classical technique that did not rely on constant tremolo.
His catalogue of more than a hundred published pieces includes the lively Rondo Scherzoso, heard on Flight (MCD 298). He is also represented as a composer on Salut d’Amour (MCD 080).
Compositions by Konrad Wölki appear on
Flight
Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble gathers its more virtuosic, lively and passionate repertoire under the idea of flight. Flight of the Bumble Bee and Le Streghe (The Witches) lead the way; the remaining works answer with energy and vitality that suggest flights of fancy.
Salut d'Amour
Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble offers a warm European tour for plucked strings, crowned by Elgar's Salut d'Amour in an arrangement for mandolin orchestra.