Maria Kazue

What a fantastic download. Firstly, the voice of Maria Callas, in this sample of her work there are so many contrasting emotions, love, joy, happiness, sadness, anger, regret etc. Secondly the range of operas that this selection opens up, there are 43 operas represented, from the familiar: Carmen, La Traviata, Tosca to the less familiar Medea, Un Ballo Maschero, Ernani to the unknown (to me) Il Pirata, La Vestale, Le Pardon de Peomel. So it alerts your ears to new possibilities. Thirdly the soundscape is good excellent orchestras the Philharmonia and La Scala being the most represented and excellent conductors Serafin and Pretre together with Resigno, Votto, Karajan etc. Lastly the generosity, over 4 hours of good music.

Two people thats all it takes to carry on an interesting and inspiring conversation. Two instruments constitute also the smallest possible ensemble the dialogue between them is inherently intimate and unique. This perception becomes even clearer, when a piece is being played by two string instruments, which although differing in timbre are inextricably intertwined. We had thought about recording a duet record for a long time, as we have been playing together for several years now, in various chamber formations from a duet to a string sextet.