L’extase: Debussy’s Intimacy, Messiaen’s Vision

Listen and fall in love as two world-class artists make this album of French art songs by Debussy and Messiaen into something magical.

Magdalena Kazena’s voice is intimate, sensual, and rich with feeling. Mitsuko Uchida’s accompaniment is a perfect partnership. Together, they make these songs mesmerizing. I was instantly transported to a dreamlike setting.

Featured are three major song settings by Debussy, and one by Messiaen. With decades passing between them, I will say that the change from from Debussy to Messiaen is causes a brief break in the mood, but that changes rapidly. Debussy was Messiaen’s idol, so there is a direct line. I refer you to the excellent liner notes for more about the song cycles and the lyrics. My own impressions are from simply letting the partnership of Zozena’s gorgeous voice and Uchida’s fluid and expressive piano wash over me.

Art songs can be performed with an overly operatic style– It would be especially annoying on a program of love and ecstasy like this. Intimacy and a one-on-one quality are what makes this so special.

If you are saying to yourself, “I think he likes it!”, you are absolutely right!

You might be enjoy these from Magdalena Zozena With Sir Simon Rattle and Czech Philharmonic.