Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski [Import]

George Frideric Handel (Composer), Marc Minkowski (Conductor), Les Musiciens du Louvre (Orchestra), Magdalena Kozena (Performer), Anton Steck (Performer), Yann Miriel (Performer), Sebastien Marq (Performer), Jean-Louis Fiat (Performer), Pascal Monteilhet (Performer), Juan-Manuel Quintana (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Magdalena Kozena, Anton Steck, Yann Miriel, Sebastien Marq, Jean-Louis Fiat, et al.
• Orchestra: Les Musiciens du Louvre
• Conductor: Marc Minkowski
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (September 20, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Archiv Prod Import
• ASIN: B00004YZ35
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Only a few years since emerging as a notable singer, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozená hasn't stopped enchanting her audience. It is, after all, a rare pleasure to experience this unique voice with its warm and elegant timbre. Some of its aspects are apparent in her preceding recital, an unusual--and unusually beautiful--program of Czech love songs. With this account of Handel's Italian Cantatas, Kozená confirms the immense scope of her gifts. Better yet, her voice is once more "affirmed": it seems fresher, conveying even more emotion. Marc Minkowski and his Musiciens du Louvre are hardly to be overlooked in this absolute success. They understand in their bones the kind of scarcely veiled energy that's fitting for the music of Handel. --Pierre Guillaume

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful album!, June 18, 2004

By 

Julio Castro Karg (Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski (Audio CD)

I was introduced to Magdalena Kozená's voice through her very nice "Bach Arias" album a couple of years ago. Then, shortly afterwards a good friend of mine told me how wonderful this Handel album also was!

One day, I was riding in a friend's car. He had brought this album solely for me to listen and played track #3 ("Delirio Amoroso, HWV 99: Aria: Un Pensiero Voli In Ciel"). I was instantly convinced!

This whole CD is delightful, a sheer joy! Whenever I try to convince anyone of it's beauty I simply play track #3. It's funny but it always works!!!

Give track #3 a try!...

13 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars controversial, not for everybody but fascinating listening, January 15, 2001

By 

"vocalfanatic" (Ramat-Hasharon Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski (Audio CD)

the title says it all - it really isnt for canary-fanciers. These early Handel pieces are mini-dramas and make fascinating, dramatic and often highly beautiful music, sometimes comparable (as in La Lucrezia) to Dido's lament (in Purcell's opus). Kozena knows that this is dramatic stuff and she really gives her all. This is no early-music milksop business and Minkowsky fans will know exactly what to expect here. I have to say that I was really surprised to hear what Miss Kozena achieves here, after her Bach arias cd. She is a totally different artist - she really has all those colors in her voice. It is true that sometimes there's a rough edge or suspect intonation, but the whole achievement raises her a few leagues in my opinion. Truly fascinating release, and thank you, Minkowsky and Kozena, for the rare opportunity of hearing these works (especially the first one).

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful voice interesting music, April 13, 2010

By 

J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski (Audio CD)

I'm not a huge vocal fan but I do generally like Baroque vocal, especially Handel. So I like the fact that the cantatas here are very lyrical with just a touch of drama, all in all not too heavily serious so quite easy to absorb. Kozena's voice is outstanding as usual, one of the best in the business and Minkowski's sprightly accompaniment is very fine. Arguably this must be one of the best Handel Cantatas albums around.