This recording captures the atmosphere of informal, domestic music making. Czech mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená offers an intimate and highly personal collection of international songs together with an outstanding group of musical friends, including Sir Simon Rattle, who makes his recording debut as a pianist. He is also her husband.
The German lied is represented by Johannes Brahms (Two Songs, Op. 91 and Five Ophelia Songs. Richard Strauss is represented by his song, Morgen. The French chanson is represented by Chausson (Chanson perpétuelle), and Maurice Ravel by Chansons madécasses.
Finally, 20th-century avant-gardism is represented by Stravinsky’s Three Songs from William Shakespeare.
Here is Ms. Kozena in music by Gustav Mahler:
