Experience the captivating voices of Ewa Podles and Garrick Ohlsson in this live recording from the prestigious Wigmore Hall, released in 2009. This album is a stunning collection of songs by Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninov, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Modest Mussorgsky, along with Karol Szymanowski's evocative "Masques." The album features Ewa Podles' powerful contralto voice, accompanied by the masterful piano playing of Garrick Ohlsson.
The album opens with a selection of Chopin's 17 Polish Songs, Op. 74, including gems like "Gdzie lubi" and "Wojak." These pieces showcase Chopin's deep connection to his Polish roots and his ability to convey profound sentiments through melody. Rachmaninov's songs, such as "Khristos voskres" and "Davno v lyubvi," add a touch of Russian romance and introspection. Tchaikovsky's contributions, including "Ya li v pole da ne travushka bila" and "Nyet, tol'ko tot kto znal," bring a sense of lyrical beauty and narrative depth. Mussorgsky's "Songs and Dances of Death" offers a dramatic and haunting contrast, with pieces like "Kolibelnaya" and "Polkovodets" highlighting the composer's unique and powerful style.
Karol Szymanowski's "Masques" Op. 34 provides a modern and sophisticated counterpoint to the more traditional pieces, with tracks like "Sheherazade" and "Serenade de Don Juan" showcasing the composer's innovative approach to melody and harmony. The album concludes with an encore performance of Rachmaninov's "Prokhodit vsyo," adding a final touch of elegance and refinement.
This live recording captures the energy and intimacy of a Wigmore Hall performance, making it a valuable addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. The chemistry between Ewa Podles and Garrick Ohlsson is palpable, resulting in a performance that is both technically impressive and deeply moving. Whether you're a fan of Chopin, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, or Szymanowski, this album offers a rich and varied listening experience that highlights the best of Russian and Polish classical vocal and piano repertoire.
Tracks
Chopin: Gdzie lubi (There where she loves) Op. 74 No. 5Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ewa Podles, Garrick Ohlsson
Chopin: Pierscien (The ring) Op. 74 No. 14Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Chopin: Wojak (The warrior) Op. 74 No. 10Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Rachmaninov: Khristos voskres (Christ is risen) Op. 26 No. 6Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Rachmaninov: Davno v lyubvi (How fleeting is love's delight) Op. 14 No. 3Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Rachmaninov: Ona, kak polden', khorosha (She is as beautiful as noon) Op. 14 No. 9Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Tchaikovsky: Ya li v pole da ne travushka bila (Was I not a little blade of grass) Op. 47 No. 7Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Tchaikovsky: Nyet, tol'ko tot kto znal (No. only one who knows longing) Op. 6 No. 6Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Szymanowski: Masques Op. 34: Tantris le bouffonFrédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Szymanowski: Masques Op. 34: Serenade de Don JuanFrédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death': Kolibelnaya (Lullaby)Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death': Serenada (serenade)Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death': Trepak (Trepak)Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death': Polkovodets (The Field-Marshall)Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Garrick Ohlsson, Ewa Podles
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