Harmonia Mundi: HMC901932

Press comments:

"Bernarda Fink finds the right tone-colour and timbre for each, and Kent Nagano conducts subtle accompaniments." Michael Kennedy, The Sunday Telegraph

"It's in the Berlioz that Fink shines most palpably. She understands the classical poise that underpins so much of Berlioz, the wild-eyed Romantic, never more so than here. Villanelle is as fresh and lively as the text, with Fink making delightful music from the rhythm of the words. She perfectly captures the subdued passion of Le spectre de la rose, demonstrating exactly how a touch of restraint at the climaxes creates greater emotion through the power of suggestion. In Absence, her pure timbre makes something utterly lovely out of a refrain that too often turns merely whiney. Once again Nagano accompanies with exemplary tact, at the same time ensuring that tempos never drag, and that every detail of Berlioz's delicate orchestration registers as it should." "This recital should find an honored place in any collection devoted to these composers, or to French song in general." David Hurwitz, Classics Today

"These recordings stand as a real testament to a superb soprano." Steven Ritter, Audiophile Audition