Magdalena Kožená / Christian Schmitt PRAYER Voice & Organ

“If we live on this planet, we must surely believe in a higher power, whatever that may be. That is something I feel when I perform this music.”-- Magdalena Kozena

The new recording from Magdalena Kozena features deeply-felt interpretations of sacred songs from the Baroque to the 20th Century In a rare recording collaboration, she is joined by virtuoso Christian Schmitt, in music for voice and organ from the sacred traditions of Germany, Austria, France and England, as well as her native Czechoslovakia.
Of course, the album includes music by J.S. Bach – a composer with whom Magdalena Kozena has long been associated - with sacred aspects of German song represented by Hugo Wolf and Schubert The French tradition is heard in the music of Bizet, Ravel and the great Parisian organist Maurice Durufle.
Bizet’s Agnus Dei and Verdi’s Ave Maria reveal less familiar aspects of composers more often associated with opera houses than churches, whilst Henry Purcell’s setting of The Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation showcases Magdalena Kozena’s extraordinary ability to inhabit musical drama Her continuing commitment to the music of her Czech homeland sees the inclusion of music by both Dvorak and Janacek.
‘The Czech mezzo . . . produces one of the loveliest sounds to be heard on the world’s stages – a flowing, spring-water-like tone that evokes the term ‘luminous’.’ - Opera News For this recording, Christian Schmitt plays the 2009 Goll organ of the University for Catholic Music & Teaching, Regensburg.