Home listening - a tale of three mezzos…

The Guardian 0

New releases from Magdalena Kožená, Jennifer Johnston and Marta Fontanals-Simmons

• Three mezzo-sopranos, three highly personal albums that relate closely to a sense of place: from the Czech-born, Berlin-based Magdalena Kožená; from the proud Liverpudlian Jennifer Johnston; and from British-Spanish Marta Fontanals-Simmons.

The first, Soirée: Magdalena Kožená and Friends (Pentatone), is an eclectic mix ranging from Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle to Stravinksy’s Three Songs from William Shakespeare via Dvořák, Brahms, Ravel, Janáček and Richard Strauss. It’s a pleasure to hear solo voice with various combinations of string quartet, flute (Kaspar Zehnder), clarinet (Andrew Marriner), a break from usual recital fare. Kožená’s versatility, and strength in French and Czech repertoire especially, shine through. And Simon Rattle makes his recording debut as a very nice pianist.