Olmos Ensemble - Made in Germany (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Theme & Variations
02. Nocturne
03. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Introduction. Mäßiges Zeitmaß. Thema mäßig
04. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Theme. Mäßig Don Quichotte, der Ritter von der traurigen Gestalt
05. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. I. Gemächlich Abenteuer an den Windmühlen”
06. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. II. Kriegerisch Der siegreiche Kampf gegen das Heer des großen Kaisers Alifanfaron”
07. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. III. Mäßiges Zeitmaß Gespräch zwischen Ritter und Knappen”
08. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. IV. Etwas breiter Unglückliches Abenteuer mit einer Prozession von Büßern”
09. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. V. Sehr langsam Die Waffenwache”
10. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. VI. Schnell Begegnung mit Dulzinea”
11. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. IX. Schnell und stürmisch Kampf gegen vermeintliche Zauberer”
12. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Var. X. Viel breiter Zweikampf mit dem Ritter vom blanken Mond”
13. Don Quixote, Op. 35, TrV 184 (Arr. for Sextet by Laszlo Varga): Finale. Sehr ruhig Wieder zur Besinnung gekommen”

On 7 August, Divine Art is delighted to present Made in Germany from the Texas-based Olmos Ensemble, the first in an exciting series of albums catalogued by country, presenting rarely performed and unrecorded works for mixed chamber instrumentation. Originally formed by the principal players of the San Antonio Symphony, Olmos Ensemble has established itself as one of the premier chamber music organizations in Texas and features leading musicians from across the United States. Made in Germany will be released as the ensemble opens its 32nd season.

Each album in the series will feature works of varied instrumentation, creating a unique collection of recorded chamber repertoire that only an ensemble like Olmos—through its remarkable access to top musicians around the United States—could bring together. The ensemble’s concert programming has won acclaim for its focus on showcasing neglected works by female composers, and Olmos is pleased to extend this commitment to its recordings, with each album in the series featuring works by women composers, including many premieres.

Made in Germany features three composers of German origin: Richard Strauss, Rudolf Tillmetz, and Ruth Schonthal. The album includes the first recording of László Varga’s highly regarded arrangement of Strauss’s Don Quixote for six instruments: clarinet, French horn, violin, viola, cello, and piano. This arrangement includes every core member of Olmos Ensemble except the flutist. As the original primary voices in the larger orchestral work (all except piano), these six instruments work exceptionally well together in recreating the thrilling tale of Don Quixote.

Also included is the first professional recording of Rudolf Tillmetz’s chamber work Nocturne for Flute, Horn, and Piano, Op. 31. One of the few Romantic-era trios for this unusual instrumentation, the piece reflects the salon music tradition of late nineteenth-century Germany, emphasizing lyrical writing and equal interplay between instruments. Although not widely known, it is a valuable contribution to the flute and horn chamber music repertoire.

German-born Jewish composer Ruth Schonthal fled Nazi persecution early in her life, first moving to Mexico and later to America to study with Paul Hindemith. Completing the album is a rare recording of her late-career Theme and Variations for Solo Flute, which distills her lifelong commitment to melodic expressiveness and emotional narrative into a distinctive work for solo flute.