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Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski
George Frideric Handel, Marc Minkowski, Les Musiciens du Louvre
Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #1

Only a few years since emerging as a notable singer, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozená hasn't stopped enchanting her audience. It is, after all, a rare pleasure to experience this unique voice with its warm and elegant...  more »

     
   
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Only a few years since emerging as a notable singer, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozená hasn't stopped enchanting her audience. It is, after all, a rare pleasure to experience this unique voice with its warm and elegant timbre. Some of its aspects are apparent in her preceding recital, an unusual--and unusually beautiful--program of Czech love songs. With this account of Handel's Italian Cantatas, Kozená confirms the immense scope of her gifts. Better yet, her voice is once more "affirmed": it seems fresher, conveying even more emotion. Marc Minkowski and his Musiciens du Louvre are hardly to be overlooked in this absolute success. They understand in their bones the kind of scarcely veiled energy that's fitting for the music of Handel. --Pierre Guillaume

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CD Reviews

Controversial, not for everybody but fascinating listening
vocalfanatic | Ramat-Hasharon Israel | 01/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"the title says it all - it really isnt for canary-fanciers. These early Handel pieces are mini-dramas and make fascinating, dramatic and often highly beautiful music, sometimes comparable (as in La Lucrezia) to Dido's lament (in Purcell's opus). Kozena knows that this is dramatic stuff and she really gives her all. This is no early-music milksop business and Minkowsky fans will know exactly what to expect here. I have to say that I was really surprised to hear what Miss Kozena achieves here, after her Bach arias cd. She is a totally different artist - she really has all those colors in her voice. It is true that sometimes there's a rough edge or suspect intonation, but the whole achievement raises her a few leagues in my opinion. Truly fascinating release, and thank you, Minkowsky and Kozena, for the rare opportunity of hearing these works (especially the first one)."
A delightful album!
Julio Castro Karg | Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico | 06/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Magdalena Kozená's voice through her very nice "Bach Arias" album a couple of years ago. Then, shortly afterwards a good friend of mine told me how wonderful this Handel album also was!



One day, I was riding in a friend's car. He had brought this album solely for me to listen and played track #3 ("Delirio Amoroso, HWV 99: Aria: Un Pensiero Voli In Ciel"). I was instantly convinced!



This whole CD is delightful, a sheer joy! Whenever I try to convince anyone of it's beauty I simply play track #3. It's funny but it always works!!!



Give track #3 a try!..."
Magdalena Rocks
phatt | USA | 03/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not alot of this is new to the catalog, but Kozena does a tremendous job. She blows away not only Gens but also the classic Smith, Handel cantata performances. Minkowski does his formitable job (once again). An absolute keeper - buy it!"