Asmik

Having triumphed on the stage, Asmik Grigorian now brings her artistry to the recording studio with the release of her eagerly awaited first recording with pianist Lukas Geniušas, Dissonance, the first of many projects planned with Alpha Classics. Devoted to one of her favourite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov, Ms. Grigorian chose to present his intimate yet highly emotional romances written for voice and piano. “Most of Rachmaninov’s romances really demand operatic power. In fact, he wrote ‘mini-operas’ which last a few minutes.”

Having triumphed on the stage, Asmik Grigorian now brings her artistry to the recording studio with the release of her eagerly awaited first recording with pianist Lukas Geniušas, Dissonance , the first of many projects planned with Alpha Classics. Devoted to one of her favourite composers, Sergei Rachmaninov, Ms. Grigorian chose to present his intimate yet highly emotional romances written for voice and piano. “Most of Rachmaninov’s romances really demand operatic power. In fact, he wrote ‘mini-operas’ which last a few minutes.” Present throughout the album in many senses of the word, the theme of Dissonance refers to the romance Opus 34 , to the contrast present on this album in general, and to the “internal conflicts” that mark these songs. In collaboration with her compatriot, pianist Lukas Geniušas, the powerful artistry of these two musicians is on full display, and, in contrast with the album’s title, in complete harmony.

Singer Asmik Grigorian has chosen to record both versions of Richard Strauss's ultimate masterpiece, composed in 1948: the version with orchestra and the much rarer version with piano. Why? “Because “one” is never enough for me :)" writes Asmik. "My main interest in recording both versions was that they each require different colors - even if they are the same piece. Mikko Franck is one of the best conductors working today, and makes everything simple, like all the truly special things on this planet are. Markus Hinterhäuser is just a magician in everything he does. Making music with them makes me feel that I am not alone.”

Singer Asmik Grigorian has chosen to record both versions of Richard Strauss's ultimate masterpiece, composed in 1948: the version with orchestra and the much rarer version with piano. Why? “Because “one” is never enough for me :)" writes Asmik. "My main interest in recording both versions was that they each require different colors - even if they are the same piece. Mikko Franck is one of the best conductors working today, and makes everything simple, like all the truly special things on this planet are. Markus Hinterhäuser is just a magician in everything he does. Making music with them makes me feel that I am not alone.”

Singer Asmik Grigorian has chosen to record both versions of Richard Strauss's ultimate masterpiece, composed in 1948: the version with orchestra and the much rarer version with piano. For her, this work is associated with the idea of solitude, but not an unhappy solitude, rather a journey towards infinity: " Now all my senses long to sink into slumber. And the soul, unguarded, longs to soar up in freedom, so that, in night’s magic circle, it may live deeply and a thousandfold. " writes Hermann Hesse in Beim Schlafengehen ( Going to Sleep ), the third song in the cycle. For this unique coupling, Asmik is joined by two long-time accomplices: conductor Mikko Franck, with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and pianist Markus Hinterhauser, artistic director of the Salzburg Festival. The combination of the two versions opens up new sensations: after the well-known abundance of Strauss's orchestration an incredible sensitivity is revealed by the piano version.

Singer Asmik Grigorian has chosen to record both versions of Richard Strauss's ultimate masterpiece, composed in 1948: the version with orchestra and the much rarer version with piano. Why? “Because “one” is never enough for me :)" writes Asmik. "My main interest in recording both versions was that they each require different colors - even if they are the same piece. Mikko Franck is one of the best conductors working today, and makes everything simple, like all the truly special things on this planet are. Markus Hinterhäuser is just a magician in everything he does. Making music with them makes me feel that I am not alone.”

The baritone Matthias Goerne, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Mikko Franck launch a trilogy of Shostakovich’s works for baritone and orchestra with a recording of Symphony No.14. This will be followed by Symphony no.13 (Babi Yar) and the Suite on poems by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The soprano Asmik Grigorian joins Matthias Goerne for this monumental yet highly subtle symphony setting poems by García Lorca, Apollinaire, Küchelbecker and Rilke.