It is certainly rare that one hears a live performance of [ars subtilior chansons]; their very difficulty make them almost impossible to pull off with any sort of musicality, and yet this trio did that, and more...
The final “Se Gallas” by Johannes Cuvelier (fl. 1372-1387) was a splendid display of ear-boggling rhythmic intricacies and ensemble finesse. As if to top this feat, they performed as an encore a “Gloria” (with more of those funny hockets) from memory. Bravi tutti!
- Laura McDowell, Classical Voice of North Carolina: "Trefoil: 3 Superb Musicians on a Medieval Mission", 3/15/10. The full review can be found here.
Harmonious sounds spring from Trefoil's lips, and it is a pleasure to see its members play their instruments and sing at the same time.
- Daniel J. Wakin “The Week Ahead May 31 - Jun 6” THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 31, 2009
Just as new to me was the eerily beautiful medieval music performed by the vocal and instrumental trio Trefoil the week before Christmas. As part of the weekly Midtown Concerts series at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue, the members of Trefoil played 14th-century Italian nativity music in the church’s intimate chapel at 1:15. They began by slowly walking up the aisle, and from my spot in the 6th of 15 rows I could hear each voice distinctly as it passed, in clear, otherworldly harmonies.
The 35-minute program was free, and every spot was taken, with the last three rows expeditiously “reserved for latecomers.”
- Ben Sisario, “A Joyful Noise: Midday Music” THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 18, 2008
A link to the full article, with a wonderful shot of Mark singing a lauda, can be found here.
In praise of Masters, Monsters & Mazes:"From the first notes of "Le basile" (Solage, fl. 1390), the ensemble Trefoil re-creates the exotic and mysterious world of late 14th-century French music... Subtle indeed, and beautifully wrought in this very attractive recording... Each work is a gem... Trefoil’s sensitive interpretations and choices of performing medium reveal much of the logic in this music...the sheer beauty of sound is reward enough."
- EARLY MUSIC AMERICA MAGAZINE, Vol. 12 No. 2, Summer 2006
In praise of Masters, Monsters, and Mazes:" This disc of late 14th century French polyphony from the medieval trio, Trefoil, is both an enjoyable and a scholarly production. Rather than turning to modern transcriptions, the group worked out the music from the actual mediaeval manuscripts, finding enlightenment and clarification in so doing. The pieces are certainly tremendously atmospheric and, together with the texts, give a good insight into that particular period... The three voices - one soprano (Marcia Young), two counter-tenors (Drew Minter and Mark Rimple) - work well together. Perfectly integrated, they offer great clarity of phrase in the beautiful interweaving lines. The counter-tenors are both excellent. This is a delightful disc, well presented with good, clear notes, and contains some beautiful and entrancing works."
- MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL, January 2006
“The combination of lute and harp is such an engaging one that it’s a shame we don’t hear it more often. On Trefoil’s ‘Christo e Nato,’ subtitled “Lauding the Nativity in Medieval Italy,” the lute and harp create unique instrumental textures, both on their own and with the voices. All three members sing and play, giving them great flexibility in their arrangements. Also featured are Johannes Ciconia, whose ‘Gloria’ opens the recording, and Matteo da Perugia, whose “Gloria” closes it. But perhaps the highlight is the ‘Ave maris stella’ from the Faenza codex, on which Rimple demonstrates just how well-suited the lute is to this virtuosic repertoire.”
- LUTE SOCIETY OF AMERICA QUARTERLY, May 2005
From a review of Trefoil and Piffaro: "Trefoil not only sings the music with accuracy but also colors and inflects it with meaning that brings it out of pure abstraction... In nearly every piece, you marvelled at how many singular musicians stood before you."
- David Patrick Stearns, the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, October 25, 2004
In praise of Christo e Nato (MSR 1094): “A very pleasing collection of Medieval songs for celebrating the nativity...this new program is an excellent addition to the catalog. I enjoyed hearing the three members of Trefoil - all veterans of the early music scene.”
- AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005