Magdalena Kozena
has recorded folk songs before, but this 2023 release, which landed on classical best-seller charts in the autumn of that year, is perhaps her definitive statement on the subject. She is teamed with her husband,
Simon Rattle
, as conductor, leading the nonpareil
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
. However, what is most impressive is the program and the way it shows
Kozena
to be capable of handling a large variety of material.
completely avoids folk songs of her native Czech culture. Instead, she offers folk-influenced material by
Bartok
,
Berio
Ravel
, and
Xavier Montsalvatge
, exploring the various meanings folk songs might have in the non-nationalist musical culture of the 20th century. The results are fascinating, and
succeeds in shifting numerous gears over the course of the album. Sample her belted
song "a la femminisca," or, for that matter, her expert retroflex r's in "Black is the colour of my true love's hair," or "I wonder as I wander."
's populist take on folk music is one approach
adopts;
's, using Greek vernacular music as just a moderate flavoring of his own style in the
Cinq melodies populaires grecques
, is another. Sample her absolutely luminous
Chanson des cueilleuses de lentisques
from that set.
ranges from fully competent to absolutely entrancing in this set of folkish songs, which are both fresh in conception and beautifully executed. An unusually satisfying release. ~ James Manheim