Whispering Leaves

Gramophone

This is a beautifully constructed and beautifully played recital of Czech Music for Cello and Piano.

At its heart is a real discovery, Josef Palenicek’s Chorale Variations on the Theme ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’ (1942) The appropriation of the Lutheran chorale acts as a metaphor in reverse for Czechoslovakia’s occupation by the Nazis, the composition occasioned by the Gestapo’s arrest of a local benefactor.

Politics aside, it is a masterly work and Lucie Stepanova and Ksenia Kouzmenko play it in masterly fashion.

Guy Rickards

de Volkskrant

Stepanova and Kouzmenko find a nice balance between passion and modesty. They surround Palenicek’s composition with works by his fellow countrymen Janacek and Martinu. The album gives a nice impression of the wide palette of musical styles that originated in the Czech Republic in the first half of the last century.

Biëlla Luttmer - Source

Crescendo Magazine

Czech cellist Lucie Stepanova and Belarusian pianist Ksenia Kouzmenko tackle this demanding repertoire with interpretations that reveal all the originality of each of these composers.

Pierre Fontenelle - Source

Pizzicato

The interaction between the two instrumentalists also sounds like a fairytale. Although brought together by external factors, they quickly recognized their human and artistic similarities and can now use them for the benefit of music.

Lucie Stepanova and Ksenia Kouzmenko form a sensitively operating duo with fine artistic capabilities.

Uwe Krusch - Source

MusicWeb International

There’s some good programming here.

Martin’s Second Quartet was composed in 1941, the year before pianist and composer Josef Palenicek wrote his Chorale Variations on the theme ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’. Pohadka introduces Janacek whose A Blown-Away Leaf, from On an Overgrown Path, is heard in the arrangement by the great cellist Miloš Sádlo

A well-recorded and annotated program that offers interesting links and crosscurrents.

Jonathan Woolf - Source

Luister 5 out of 5

Jacancek’s A Blown-Away Leaf is perhaps more beautiful than the original for piano. Stepanova and Kouzmenko lovingly complement each other.

I am already eagerly looking forward to their next album.

Carine Alders

Music Frames

Finally, A Blown-Away Leaf (by Janáçek) is the inspiration for the title Whispering Leaves. An album on which the great musicians Ksenia Kouzmenko and Lucie Stepanova show the beauty of unknown Moravian pieces.

An absolutely great album!

Matti Poels - Source

Stretto

The album “Whispering Leaves” was recorded by Tom Peeters in the Protestant Westvest90 Church in Schiedam, known for his excellent acoustics. A sublime album by two top musicians.

Highly recommended.

Michel Dutrieue - Source

Opus Klassiek

I do not believe that this music could sound more idiomatic. As if four master hands have taken care of it.

It is also the lyrical depth that the duo constantly manages to achieve, as in the Largo from Martinu’s sonata. You would almost forget that this is an extremely virtuoso program that demands the highest technical requirements.

The many hurdles, however, are not only taken with the greatest of ease, but also the passionate and energetic touch is of a rare penetration and beauty. There is no doubt. Here, music is played at the highest possible level.

A separate compliment also for producer and recording engineer Tom Peeters.  Recording in the Westvest90 church in Schiedam, in a setting that excels in the same musical qualities. Glowing, yet transparent and with an ideal balance between the two instruments. The acoustic space is great, and the definition is of the kind to also take a deep bow.

A sublime edition!

Aart van der Wal - Source