Dew at sunrise
pohaku | Oahu | 02/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can only echo the earlier reviewer (oddly, also from Hawaii, as are we): This is a superb recital. We love Sandrine's performances in several Baroque opera DVDs and on other CDs, but this CD is not only in another century, but another league. Her voice may be "light," but there are a thousand variations of that light, and she knows how to use each one for these marvellous songs."
Proof!
Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 01/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sandrine Piau is a major star of "historically informed" Baroque performance, and I sincerely hope she continues to sing Vivaldi, Boccherini, Scarlatti, and other masters of the 18th Century as her 'bread and butter' repertoire. However, if you are as much a fan of her vocal art as I am, you might be interested in hearing this recital of Romantic and slightly post-Romantic lieder or Piau's very lovely CD of songs by Claude Debussy. Piau is one of the highly trained current generation of Early Music specialists who can also, without compromise, sing more modern music with full technical assurance - the bigger chest voice, the projective vibrato, etc. - while maintaining some of the aesthetic insights that have emerged from historically informed practices. She is effective proof that the Early Music movement has matured and can match any standard of the 20th C concert hall.
The selection of songs in this recital would test any soprano's breadth of vocal technique and of expressive sensitivity: Strauss, Schoenberg, Debussy, Chausson. Frankly, I prefer the more aesthetically concentrated recital of Debussy songs only, but if this repertoire is your "bag," you'll definitely want to hear Sandrine Piau's conquest of it."
Excellent performance and style
Gloriana | Greece | 09/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I read everywhere how special performer soprano Sandrine Piau is, in the baroque era. Well, she is a great interpreter generally. And this is proved in EVOCATION. She sings R. Strauss, Chausson, Zemlinsky even Schoenberg amazingly, showing great technique and knowledge of style, as well. Do not hesitate to buy this cd. Is well worth it."