An enchanting new EP from
The Magic Violin Trio is here!
With Apfelstrudel and Turkish Coffee features seven brand-new tracks that will take you on an extraordinary music journey through time and space, traveling along the Danube from Hungary all the way to the Black Sea.
Spanning the 16th to the 20th centuries, this EP weaves a rich tapestry of human experience. From joyful dance tunes and heartfelt love stories to poignant, tragic ballads, each track acts as a unique sip of culture, including a captivating Turkish piece that breathes with the river’s timeless, spiced influence. It is a true musical feast full of bittersweet treasures that carry the rich soul of migration, history, love, and transformation.
This collection is the perfect accompaniment to the 2024 book, Balkan Music from the Danube with Ottoman Influences.
Born from an extensive and transformative journey of research and recording, these arrangements bring the musical history of the region into the present, serving up those nearly forgotten, intangible sounds in a form that resonates deeply today.
Ideally paired with a warm Apfelstrudel and a dark, lingering Turkish Coffee, this is an exploration to be savoured.
All tracks have been meticulously collected, arranged, and composed by our Magic Violin, Gundula Stojanova Gruen.
Peek behind the scenes!
About The Magic Violin String Trio
The Magic Violin String Trio channels the ancient wisdom of Romany Gypsy lore and the exhilarating rhythms of Eastern European dances, weaving them together with a vibrant spirit and heartfelt delivery.
The ensemble is formed and led by Gundula on violin and lead vocals, and features Jeremy Halliwell on guitar and backing vocals, and Fraser Parry on cello and backing vocals. Our unique sound blossomed in 2020 from the string players of Gundula’s 5-piece Balkan ensemble Tatcho Drom when COVID-19 restrictions meant only three players could fit in the rehearsal space.
Arrangements
Gundula Gruen © 2026
Production
Gundula Gruen
Artwork
Recording
The Magic Violin String Trio