Presto Recording of the Week
14th June 2024

Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano)

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle

Martinů: Nipponari – Cycle of seven songs for female voice and small orchestra, H68
Martinů: Pisnicky na jednu stranku (Songs on One Page), H. 294
Dvořák: Abendlieder, Op. 3
Dvořák: Písne na slova Gustava Pflegra-Moravskeho, Op. 2
Krasa: Orchestral Songs (4), Op. 1
Klein, Gideon: Lullaby

Czech Songs is star mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozena's sixth album as part of her exclusive collaboration with Pentatone, after having presented the baroque cantatas recital album Il giardino dei sospiri and the songs in chamber-musical setting project Soiree in 2019, as well as Nostalgia together with Yefim Bronfman in 2021 and the title role of Handel's Alcina together with Marc Minkowski and Les Musiciens du Louvre in 2024. The current album was preceded by Folk Songs (2023), on which she also joined forces with the Czech Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle. Rattle conducts the world's greatest orchestras and, since 219 has returned annually to conduct the Czech Philharmonic, of which he will become Principal Guest Conductor as of the 24/25 season. He made his recording debut as pianist on Pentatone alongside Magdalena Kozena on Soiree (219). In 2022-23 Rattle and Magdalena Kozena were the Czech Philharmonic Artists in Residence. The Czech Philharmonic is one of the world's orchestral gems, recognised for its rich tradition with the Czech masters as well as European repertoire. Since 2022, the orchestra has released Mahler's Fourth, Fifth, Second and First Symphony on Pentatone as part of a complete Mahler cycle to appear on the label.