Kozena’s Vivaldi
Back in 2010, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozená released her first Vivaldi album and it shows us not just the virtuosic aspects of the composer’s writing but also a more serene and peaceful side. As with much of Vivaldi’s vocal writing, most of it is still unknown to modern audiences, other than the material recorded by Cecilia Bartoli and a few other singers.
Kozená reunites with conductor Andrea Marcon and the Venice Baroque Orchestra, a collaboration that previously produced the excellent Handel album “Ah! Mio Cor”.
The tracks on this CD are as follows:
1. Tito Manlio/Act 3 – ”Sonno, Se Pur Sei Sonno”
2. Juditha Triumphans, R.644/Pars Altera – ”Armatae Face”
3. La Verità In Cimento/Act 1 – Solo Quella Guancia Bella
4. Il Farnace/Act 2 – Gelido In Ogni Vena
5. Arsilda Regina Di Ponto R.700 (1716)/Act 3 – Tornar Voglio Al Primo Ardore
6. Vivaldi: Orlando Furioso RV 728/Act 1 – Sol Da Te, Mio Dolce Amore
7. Ottone In Villa/Act 2 – Misero Spirto Mio
8. Vivaldi: Orlando Furioso RV 728/Act 1 – Nel Profondo
9. Il Farnace/Act 3 – Forse O Caro In Questi Accenti
10. La Verità In Cimento/Act 3 – Cara Sorte Di Chi Nata
11. Griselda – Dramma Per Musica/Act 1 – Ho Il Cor Già Lacero
12. L’incoronazione Di Dario, R.719/Act 2 – Non Mi Lusinga Vana Speranza
13. L’Orlando Finto Pazzo/Act 3 – Lo Stridor, L’orror
14. L’Orlando Finto Pazzo/Act 3 – Anderò, Volerò, Griderò
15. L’Olimpiade/Act 1 – Mentre Dormi, Amor Formenti
I recently heard Ms. Kozena perform Lieder by Mahler, and these were beautifully executed. The Vivaldi is certainly a contrasting style for this amazing singer.
Here is Ms. Kozena in the music of Vivaldi, “Gelido in ogni vena” Listen to that rich voice!
http://youtu.be/DyzKcyAn9V8
And now here she is talking about the music of Vivaldi:
Tags: Magdalena Kozená, Vivaldi