Silhouettes: Clarke, Werkman, Debussy, Milhaud, Enescu

Anna Fedorova, Dana Zemtsov

16,9934,49
(11 press reviews)
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Original Recording Format: DSD 256
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World-class musicians Dana Zemtsov and Anna Fedorova joined forces when they discovered they have a mutual friend. ‘Do you know that feeling when coming to a new place as if the atmosphere you are in has been with you forever, recognizing it like an old friend?

Our upbringing was similar and filled with Guy de Maupassant, Gustave Flaubert, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Jean de La Fontaine, Pierre Richard, Louis de Funès, Georges Brassens, Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet. This could be a logical explanation for us both experiencing this sense of familiarity every time we cross the border to France. Or maybe we have lived some of our previous lives in these surroundings that they seem so close to us?

This is by no means a story about France. Each piece in this album has its own story, its own thoughts, and feelings. However, throughout it, if you listen with your eyes closed, you will occasionally sense the presence of a furtive silhouette ‘à la Française’. – Dana Zemtsov & Anna Fedorova

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
Clarke Sonata for Viola and Piano I. Impetuoso
08:46
2.
Clarke Sonata for Viola and Piano II. Vivace
04:40
3.
Clarke Sonata for Viola and Piano III. Adagio-Allegro
04:00
4.
Debussy La Plus que Lente
04:35
5.
Werkman Suite for Viola and Piano, Op. 51 I. Allemande
02:50
6.
Werkman Suite for Viola and Piano, Op. 51 II. Branle
02:13
7.
Werkman Suite for Viola and Piano, Op. 51 III. Pavane
04:51
8.
Werkman Suite for Viola and Piano, Op. 51 IV. Tarantella
02:30
9.
Debussy Clair de Lune
04:24
10.
Milhaud Sonata No.1 for Viola and Piano, Op. 240 I. Entree
03:09
11.
Milhaud Sonata No.1 for Viola and Piano, Op. 240 II. Francaise
02:26
12.
Milhaud Sonata No.1 for Viola and Piano, Op. 240 III. Air
01:33
13.
Milhaud Sonata No.1 for Viola and Piano, Op. 240 IV. Final
02:45
14.
Enescu Concert Piece for Viola and Piano
09:14
15.
Debussy Beau Soir
02:22

Total time: 01:00:18

Additional information

Label

SKU

42320

Qualities

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Channels

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Artists

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Composers

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Genres

,

Cables

Van den Hul, exclusive use of Van den Hul 3T cables

Digital Converters

Horus, Merging Technologies

Editing Software

Pyramix, Merging Technologies

Mastering Engineer

Jared Sacks, Tom Caulfield (DSD 512)

Mastering Room

Grimm Audio LS1

Microphones

Bruel & Kjaer 4006, Schoeps

Mixing Board

Rens Heijnis, custom design

Instruments

,

Original Recording Format

Producer

Jared Sacks

Recording Engineer

Jared Sacks

Recording Location

MCO Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands in June 2019

Recording Software

Pyramix, Merging Technologies

Recording Type & Bit Rate

DSD 256

Speakers

Grimm Audio LS1

Release DateJune 9, 2020

Press reviews

Positive Feedback

This is how I experience this album—one deliciously beautiful, fully integrated, recital chosen not simply for several disconnected works of music, but chosen with care to create a musical experience. And an education, which I so greatly appreciate from any album.

Jared Sacks, chief recording engineer, delivers another jewel of a recording. With utter transparency of sound and excellent capture the fine acoustics in MCO studios, Hilversum, Jared continues to impress me with each new recording. Captured with minimal miking to DSD256 tracks, then transferred to DXD for final editing, Jared’s recordings continue to reflect an extremely high standard that I highly recommend you experience in the highest resolution playback your audio system can deliver for you. You will be well rewarded.

Highly recommended. Come find a bit of magic for your enjoyment!

Gramophone

This newcomer is as strong as any of their main rivals, with Zemtsov’s warmly expressive playing matched by Fedorova’s nuanced accompaniment. (…) Zemtsov is much more than a viable alternative, exploring g its vein of melancholy with real feeling. (…) demonstration-quality sound by Channel Classics.

Fanfare 5 out of 5

‘Silhouettes’ presents an imaginatively conceived recital for viola and piano, immaculately executed, and captured in gorgeous recorded sound. (…) It’s marvelous to hear two such outstanding artists so in sync with each other. (…) engaging liner notes (…) A first-rate disc in every respect, and highly recommended.

Rebecca Clarke Composer .com

Zemtsov and Fedorova’s performance of the Sonata is outstanding—by turns sensitive, passionate, and dry-eyed, as needed—with just the right touch of portamento in the lyrical passages, and real wit in the scherzo. The contrapuntal equality of the two instruments has rarely been brought out so beautifully. (…) Even in a field awash in fine recordings, Silhouettes is truly special.

Pizzicato ‘SUPERSONIC’

(…) Dana Zemtsov lets the wonderful melodies flow in her brilliant and colourful playing, very well supported by Anna Fedorova, whose refined phrasing is remarkable. (…) Wonderfully atmospheric performances of well-done arrangements of small Debussy pieces as well as of the Concert Piece by Enescu make this programme a real treat. (…) The duo’s listening and feeling for each other is phenomenal.

Luister 10 out of 5

(…) wat een origineel programma is dit (…) het spel van Dana Zemtsov en Anna Fedorova is ronduit exquis, prachtig van klank en heel precies samen in dynamiek en beweging. En de 10 geldt ook Jared Sacks voor de opnametechniek. (10/10 stars)

The Strad

Dana Zemtsov has a knack for interesting programming (…) She is especially captivating in the veiled quality to her tone with which she launches Clair de lune and the sensitive longing of Beau soir.(…) Anna Fedorova is a nimble duo partner (…)

BBC Music Magazine 4 out of 5

(…) At times tender, at times athletic, this duo shines (…)

Het Parool

Onbekend, prachtig en vervoerend. Zemtsov en Fedorova spelen bijzonder overtuigend. (…)

De Gelderlander 5 out of 5

Het album is geweldig! (…) Zemtsov en Fedorova zijn echte vertellers en weten hun gehoor van A tot Z te boeien. (…) Bij het luisteren naar hun naadloze, uiterst expressieve duo-spel vergaat je al snel iedere notie van tijd. Je wordt meegezogen in een avontuurlijke belevenis die als een roes werkt.

NativeDSD Senior Reviewer

Incredibly fine playing!

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