Gramophone Magazine
April 2022
Editor's Choice

Asmik Grigorian (soprano), Lukas Geniušas (piano)

Rachmaninov: Dissonance, Op.34, No.13
Rachmaninov: My child, your beauty is that of a flower, Op. 8 No. 2
Rachmaninov: Songs, Op. 14. I. I Wait for Thee & VIII. Oh, Do not Grieve!
Rachmaninov: All was taken from me, Op. 26 No. 2
Rachmaninov: Songs, Op. 21. III. Twilight & IV. They Answered
Rachmaninov: Do not believe me, friend, Op. 14 No. 7
Rachmaninov: How fair this spot, Op. 21 No. 7
Rachmaninov: Ne poy, krasavitsa, pri mne, Op. 4 No. 4
Rachmaninov: Songs, Op. 21. XI. No Prophet I & XII. How Painful for Me & V. Lilacs
Rachmaninov: Spring torrents, Op. 14 No.11
Rachmaninov: A dream, Op. 8 No. 5
Rachmaninov: What happiness, Op. 34 No.12
Rachmaninov: In the silence of the secret night, Op. 4 No. 3
Rachmaninov: Fragment from A. Musset, Op. 21 No. 6
Rachmaninov: We shall rest, Op.26, No. 3

Following her triumphs on the stages of the Salzburg and Bayreuth festivals and at Covent Garden, Asmik Grigorian now belongs to the world’s vocal elite. She joins Alpha Classics for several projects and presents here her very first recital, devoted to one of her favourite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov. This album, entitled Dissonance, assembles vocal works carefully chosen by the soprano for the contrasts they generate when grouped together: ‘Most of Rachmaninov’s songs really call for operatic power. In fact, he wrote mini-operas lasting a few minutes.’ While this album is called Dissonance, in reference to the ‘internal conflicts’ that punctuate these songs, the duo formed by the Lithuanian singer and her pianist compatriot Lukas Geniušas is one of total consonance!

‘A Soprano With a Bottomless Appetite for Risk’ – The New York Times

"Grigorian is utterly compelling throughout. Even on disc, without the visuals, you can hear how Grigorian lives and breathes each song...Pianist Lukas Geniušas is an equal partner dramatically." - Gramophone Magazine, April 2022.