Magdalena Kožená's multi-lingual recital shows this singer's formidable
talent for performing widely varying musical styles. Beginning with her
idiomatic French (of which we had a substantial sampling on her
previous French arias disc . . . she uses her light but well-placed and
penetrating mezzo to illuminate Ravel's seductive Madagascar Songs.
Listen to how Kožená creates a nearhypnotic effect with her passionate
repeated cries of "Nahandove". In Shostakovich's Satires (5 Romances
for Soprano and Piano ) Kožená embodies the composer's varied emotional
states, from bemusement to sarcasm, and, in the concluding "Kreutzer
Sonata", repressed frenzy . . . After Shostakovich's sharp edges,
Respighi's lush romantic rhapsody "Il Tramonto" allows Kožená the
opportunity to luxuriate in long, expansive melodic lines as well as in
the resonance of pure Italianate vowels, for which the singer provides
an engaging fullness of tone and depth of expression. From this we turn
to Schulhoff's "Drei Stimmungsbilder" (for mezzo-soprano, violin, and
piano), which begins with a lazy, quasi blues song about the sea and
ends in a Debussian impressionistic haze. Kožená's creamy tone and
gentle delivery make even the German language sound soft and inviting.
In Britten's "Charm of Lullabies" . . . her sincerity and unerring
musical instincts shine through, communicating the power and poignancy
of Britten's songs. The well-chosen selections offer a variety of
accompaniments, from the flute, cello, and piano trio in the Ravel, to
the string quartet in the Respighi, with Malcom Martineau's sensitive
pianism providing fundamental support throughout. DG's recording
provides vividly realistic sonics, placing the singer and
instrumentalists in natural, well-balanced perspective. In sum, this is
an excellent recital disc that will please connoisseurs of the voice as
well as collectors of uncommon repertoire.Magdalena Kožená's multi-lingual recital shows this singer's formidable
talent for performing widely varying musical styles. Beginning with her
idiomatic French (of which we had a substantial sampling on her
previous French arias disc . . . she uses her light but well-placed and
penetrating mezzo to illuminate Ravel's seductive Madagascar Songs.
Listen to how Kožená creates a nearhypnotic effect with her passionate
repeated cries of "Nahandove". In Shostakovich's Satires (5 Romances
for Soprano and Piano ) Kožená embodies the composer's varied emotional
states, from bemusement to sarcasm, and, in the concluding "Kreutzer
Sonata", repressed frenzy . . . After Shostakovich's sharp edges,
Respighi's lush romantic rhapsody "Il Tramonto" allows Kožená the
opportunity to luxuriate in long, expansive melodic lines as well as in
the resonance of pure Italianate vowels, for which the singer provides
an engaging fullness of tone and depth of expression. From this we turn
to Schulhoff's "Drei Stimmungsbilder" (for mezzo-soprano, violin, and
piano), which begins with a lazy, quasi blues song about the sea and
ends in a Debussian impressionistic haze. Kožená's creamy tone and
gentle delivery make even the German language sound soft and inviting.
In Britten's "Charm of Lullabies" . . . her sincerity and unerring
musical instincts shine through, communicating the power and poignancy
of Britten's songs. The well-chosen selections offer a variety of
accompaniments, from the flute, cello, and piano trio in the Ravel, to
the string quartet in the Respighi, with Malcom Martineau's sensitive
pianism providing fundamental support throughout. DG's recording
provides vividly realistic sonics, placing the singer and
instrumentalists in natural, well-balanced perspective. In sum, this is
an excellent recital disc that will please connoisseurs of the voice as
well as collectors of uncommon repertoire.
Would it be possible to re-upload this file? The links are all dead. Thank you.
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