Whispering Leaves
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Description
Whispering Leaves
“Whispering Leaves” is a new project from violoncellist Lucie Štĕpánová and pianist Ksenia Kouzmenko, with Czech music for cello and piano. They play works by Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů, as well as composer Josef Páleníček.
Josef Páleníček (1914-1991) was a very expressive and versatile pianist, fascinating performer of Janáček’s works, and a lifelong friend of Bohuslav Martinů, with whom he studied together in Paris. But, unfortunately as a composer he is not very well known. On this album you’ll find a special work, his moving Chorale Variations on the famous 17th century chorale “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”. Written in 1942, in response to a dramatic personal experience, this is one of the most important Czech works for cello and piano from World War II. This recording is the world premiere of this piece on CD. It is joined by the enchanting “Pohádka” (“Fairy Tale”) by Janáček, the intense and impressive Second Sonata for cello and piano by Martinů, and by “A Blown-Away Leaf” by Leoš Janáček, a beautiful miniature from the piano cycle “On an Over- grown Path”, in a transcription for cello and piano by the legendary Czech violoncellist Miloš Sádlo. This warm, light and loving piece is also inspiration for the title of this album: “Whispering Leaves”.
Lucie Štĕpánová and Ksenia Kouzmenko have been performing as a duo for ten years, known for their warm and expressive playing. Their repertoire includes works from Beethoven to Escher, and in their programs they like to look for new works, and unex- pected connections.
For Lucie Štĕpánová this is also a very personal project: all three composers have their roots in the Moravian folk music with which she grew up. Moreover she has special personal recollections of Josef Páleníček himself.
Additional information
Format | |
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Recording Type & Bit Rate | DSD64 |
Editing Software | Pyramix |
Cables | Acoustic Revive |
Digital Converters | Grimm Audio |
Notes | The recording was originally digitized using the Grimm AD1, which operated at DSD64. |
Mastering Engineer | Tom Peeters |
Microphones | Bruel & Kjaer 4003, Neumann modi ed by Rens Heijnis |
Recording Engineer | Tom Peeters |
Producer | Tom Peeters |
Mixing Board | Rens Heijnis custom made |
Recording location | Westvest 90, Schiedam, The Netherlands |
Recording Software | Pyramix |
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Press reviews
De Volkskrant, aug. 2018
Stepánová en Kouzmenko vinden een mooie balans tussen passie en ingetogenheid. Ze omringen de compositie van Pálenícek met werken van zijn landgenoten Janácek en Martinu. Zo ontstaat een fraaie indruk van het brede palet aan muzikale stijlen dat in het Tsjechië van de eerste helft van de vorige eeuw is ontstaan.
Crescendo, May 2018
La violoncelliste tchèque Lucie Stepanova et la pianiste biélorusse Ksenia Kouzmenko s’attaquent à ce répertoire exigeant avec des interprétations qui laissent transparaitre toute l’originalité de chacun de ces compositeurs…The Czech cellist Lucie Stepanova and the Belarusian pianist Ksenia Kouzmenko tackle this demanding repertoire with interpretations that reveal the originality of each of these composers
Gramophone, Aug.2018
This is a beautifully constructed and rather beautifully played recital of Czech music for cello and piano. At its heart is a real discovery, Josef Páleníček’s Chorale Variations on the Theme ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’ (1942)…The appropriation of the Lutheran chorale acts as a metaphor in reverse for Czechoslovakia’s occupation by the Nazis, the composition occasioned by the Gestapo’s arrest of a local benefactor. Politics aside, it is a masterly work and Lucie Štěpánová and Ksenia Kouzmenko play it in masterly fashion.
Pizzicato
Geradezu märchenhaft klingt auch das Zusammenspiel der beiden Instrumentalistinnen. Zwar auf äußere Anregung hin zusammengebracht, haben sie schnell ihre menschlichen und künstlerischen Gemeinsamkeiten erkannt und können diese nunmehr zugunsten der Musik einsetzten..Lucie Stepanova and Ksenia Kouzmenko form a sensitively operating duo with fine artistic capabilities.
Musicweb International
There’s some good programming here. Martinů’s Second Quartet was composed in 1941, the year before pianist and composer Josef Páleníček wrote his Chorale Variations on the theme ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’. And Pohádka introduces Janáček whose A Blown-Away Leaf, from On an Overgrown Path, is heard in the arrangement by the great cellist Miloš Sádlo…A well-recorded and annotated programme that offers interesting links and cross-currents.
ElegantClassics, Sept.2018
Both the recording engineer and musicians have managed to find a balance that leaves the listener’s ear fully concentrated, resulting in undisturbed listening…The selection of the repertoire is a successful choice, Janacek and Martinů go nicely together, whilst Páleníček gives the disc a completely original accent.
Lucie Štěpánová (cello) is colorfully and expressively nicely differentiated. She shines and flashes, but also has a kind of nervous rush which makes her exciting as well. Ksenia Kouzmenko, a brilliant interpreter, is a pianist who is not a mere addition, but on the contrary an individuality that delivers the necessary energy and sound quality to music.
We are listening to a recording that goes to the highest levels!
Luister, mei 2018
Jacanceks A Blown-Away Leaf is misschien wel mooier dan het origineel voor piano. Stepanova en Kouzmenko vullen elkaar liefdevol aan. Ik kijk alvast reikhalzend naar de volgende cd uit.
Music Frames
Finally, A Blown-Away Leaf (by Janáçek) is the inspiration for the title Whispering Leaves, an album on which the great musicians Ksenia Kouzmenko and Lucie Štĕpánová show the beauty of unknown Moravian pieces. Absolutely great record!
Opus Klassiek
Wat bij dit spel het eerst opvalt is de grote betovering die ervan afstraalt. Sterker nog, ik geloof niet dat deze muziek idiomatischer zou kunnen klinken. Alsof vier meesterhanden zich erover hebben ontfermd. Het is ook de lyrische diepte die het duo voortdurend weet te bereiken, zoals in het Largo uit Martinu’s sonate. Je zou bijna vergeten dat dit bovenal een uitermate virtuoos programma is dat de hoogste technische eisen stelt. De vele horden worden echter niet alleen met het grootste gemak genomen, maar ook de gepassioneerde en energieke toets is van een zeldzame indringendheid en schoonheid. Er is geen twijfel mogelijk: hier wordt op het hoogst denkbare niveau gemusiceerd.
Stretto febr 2018
De cd “Whispering Leaves” werd opgenomen o.l.v. technicus Tom Peeters in de protestantse Westvestkerk in Schiedam, bekend om zijn uitstekende akoestiek. Een sublieme cd door twee topmusici. Warm aanbevolen.
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