Silhouettes: Clarke, Werkman, Debussy, Milhaud, Enescu

Two very talented musicians and five composers in one remarkable recital!

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!

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.

‘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.

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.

(…) 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.

(...) 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)

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 (...)

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

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

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.

Incredibly fine playing!