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This marvelous recording performed by Isabel Bayrakdarian with pianist Serouj Kradjian is devoted entirely to the songs of Pauline Viardot, nee Garcia, an extraordinary woman who was not only one of the great singers of the 19th century but also quite clearly a gifted composer. As evidenced by this recording, her oeuvre includes Italian, German, Spanish, and French songs. Released by Analekta.
*WINNER of 2006 Juno Awards for Best Classical Album (vocal or choral performance)*
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TRACK LISTING:
[1] Sérénade
[2] Bonjour mon cœur
[3] Haï Luli!
[4] L’enfant et la mère
[5] Havanaise
[6] Madrid
[7] Les Filles de Cadix
[8] Des Nachts
[9] Räthsel
[10] Die Sterne
[11] Die Beschworung
[12] Seize-ans, based on Mazurka No. 31 A flat major Op. 50 No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin
[13] Aime-moi, based on Mazurka No. 23 D major Op. 33 No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin
[14] La Fête, based on Mazurka No. 4 E flat minor Op. 6 No. 4 by Frédéric Chopin
[15] Plainte d’amour, based on Mazurka No. 1 in F sharp# minor Op. 6 No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin
[16] Chanson de la pluie
[17] Grands oiseaux blancs
[18] Désespoir
[19] Sylvie
[20] Moriró
[21] L’afflitta
[22] Ta chevelure, Chanson napolitaine
[23] Ti voglio amar, Canzone d’amore
Reviews
“[Viardot’s] songs are delightful, and Ms. Bayrakdarian does them vivacious justice. Ms. Bayrakdarian is a fine interpreter of this music. Her voice has a brilliance and a lightness that don’t prevent it from descending to darker nether regions (in “Die Sterne”) or swelling to near-operatic fortes (in “Grands Oiseaux Blancs”). She genuinely engages with what she is singing, and there is a hint of a laugh in her voice that lifts the music with an infectious lilt.”
– New York Times
“With a voice as pure and limpid as spring water, Bayrakdarian makes an irresistible case for Viardot-Garcia’s beguilingly melodic songs.”
– Time Out New York
“She delivers an absolutely captivating recital of songs by Pauline Viardot-Garcia. Several of the songs are based on Chopin mazurkas, a clever idea that Viardot-Garcia pulls off with real pizazz, abetted by a playful Bayrakdarian, who totally engages us with a “smile” in her voice. In fact, she’s completely at home in this repertoire, and her extraordinarily agile and accurate voice – its medium-bodied tone very rich and solid, yet with a pleasing bright quality – is an ideal instrument to bring out its varied colors and interpretive nuances. I’ve said before, Isabel Bayrakdarian is one of today’s rising stars, a singer with grace, style, intelligence, and the talent to take her as far as she wants to go. Discs such as this one make following her career pure pleasure.” (Rating: 9/9)
– ClassicsToday
“The fast-rising Toronto soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian here applies her bright, distinctive tone to a selection of 23, including four Chopin transcriptions (which were appreciated by the composer).”
– Montreal Gazette
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