RENÉE FLEMING — Distant Light (2017) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Nearly 58 years old when the recording was released in early 2017, Renée Fleming was obviously not content to retread familiar territory. True, she delivers a standard repertory (and quintessentially Fleming) performance in Samuel Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Op. 24, her just slightly smokier voice fitting Barber's lush setting of the James Agee text especially well. The Strand Settings of Anders Hillborg (in English) were commissioned from this Swedish composer by Fleming; they're in the grand tradition of Scandinavian nature evocations, and they fit Fleming's voice exceptionally well. But the big news here is the set of Björk songs. Fleming has always had a flair for material originating from the popular sphere, but her work here is exceptional. She alters her voice production to a startling degree, making much more use of the microphone than usual and offering a flat tone that does not imitate Björk, but plausibly suggests her. Yet she's still definitely recognizable as Renée Fleming. Sample Jóga, both for the flavor of the orchestral arrangements by Swedish composer Hans Ek and for Fleming's apparent affinity for such lines as "a state of emergency is where I want to be." The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic under Sakari Oramo keeps up with Fleming's changing moods here, and the end result is an unusually strong Fleming release. James Manheim
Tracklist :
1 Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24  15:35
Composed By – Samuel Barber
Text By – James Agee
2-5    The Strand Settings 20:33
Composed By – Anders Hillborg
Text By – Mark Strand
6 Virus  4:24
Arranged By – Hans Ek
Composed By, Lyrics By – Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Lyrics By – Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson
7 Jóga  4:36
Arranged By – Hans Ek
Composed By, Lyrics By – Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Lyrics By – Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson
8 All Is Full of Love 3:12
Arranged By – Hans Ek
Composed By, Lyrics By – Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Credits :
Renée Fleming - Soprano
Conductor – Sakari Oramo
Orchestra – Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

ARAM KHACHATURIAN : Konzerte für Violine und Violoncello (Daniel Müller-Schott, Arabella Steinbacher) (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

If you're going to record the fiendishly difficult and vibrant violin and cello concertos of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, magnificently clean, virtuosic, and sensitive performances are absolutely essential for soloists and orchestra alike. Fortunately, that is precisely what is achieved on this recording featuring violinist Arabella Steinbacher, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Müller-Schott's performance of the cello concerto, first on the CD, is beyond exciting. His technique is sparkling and gives listeners the impression that even the most difficult passages are completely effortless. Always infused with the folk-like panache so necessary for Khachaturian's works, technical passages are always exciting and never sterile. The second movement is sultry and filled with tension. Offering a similarly virtuosic performance, Steinbacher's violin playing is throaty and guttural, another ideal match for Khachaturian. Filled with passionate risk-taking, the folksy, almost militaristic third movement is a tour de force for soloist and orchestra alike, while the passionate second movement showcases violin playing that is nothing short of sexy. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's tight and sensitive accompaniment only enhances the virtuosity of these two soloists. by Mike D. Brownell  

Aram Khatchaturian (1859-1935)

1-3 Konzert Für Violoncello Und Orchester (32:12)
4-6 Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester (37:58)

Violoncello – Daniel Müller-Schott
Conductor – Sakari Oramo
Orchestra – City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Violin – Arabella Steinbacher