Album Trailer

Chants nostalgiques

Leopold Godowski (1870 – 1938)
1. Alt-Wien/Old Vienna (2:07)

Fritz Kreisler (1875 – 1962), arr. Sergei Rachmaninoff (1902 – 1943)
2. Liebesleid (4:07)
3. Liebesfreud (6:25)

Constantin Silvestri (1913 – 1969)
Chants nostalgiques, Op. 27, No. 1 *
4. Pensieroso (3:16)
5. Espressivo (3:09)
6. Misterioso (4:59)

Historical recordings by Ion Buzea from 1961/2, previously unreleased
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
7. Du bist wie eine Blume, Op. 25, No. 24 (1:51)
Richard Strauss (1864 – 1949)
8. Allerseelen, Op. 10, No. 8 (3:08)
Tiberiu Brediceanu (1877 – 1968)
9. Bagă Doamne luna-n nor (3:19)
Gheorghe Dima (1847 – 1925)
10. De ce nu-mi vii (O, komm zu mir) (4:08)
Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828)
11. Der Neugierige (Die Schöne Müllerin) (4:02)

Schubert, arr. Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886)
Song Transcriptions
12. Der Müller und der Bach (4:48)
13. Auf dem Wasser zu singen (4:07)
14. Aufenthalt (2:53)
15. Ständchen (5:40)
16. Gretchen am Spinnrade (3:28)
17. Erlkönig (4:33)
18. Ave Maria (5:43)
19. Frühlingsglaube (3:27)

Francisco Tárrega (1852 – 1909), arr. Luiza Borac
20. Recuerdos de la Alhambra (4:36) *

* First recording

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REVIEWS

“You would expect a disc to be uniform in spirit; but while Luiza Borac’s remarkable new collection certainly favours a kind of emotional reticence, the recital as a whole is dizzying in its stylistic and expressive richness. I’ve been enthusiastic about all of Borac’s recordings I’ve reviewed (Enescu, Schubert and Liszt) but this is better still. From the tonally plush and rhythmically flexible way she caresses Alt Wien, you know that this is going to be a disc of refined sensuality.” Peter Rabinowitz, Fanfare

“Insightful touch and unassuming understanding is also lent to Borac’s discreet augmentation of accompaniments for a varied group of German and Romanian songs recorded by tenor Ion Buzea in 1964. These songs are an artful and unique collaboration of sorts thanks to recording technology and the results are enchanting.” 5 Stars, Classical Ear, 14 August 2014

“A very special place on this album is held by the historic recordings of our great artist, the tenor Ion Buzea. With this Album, both Avie Records and I wish him a warm Happy birthday, on the occasion of his turning 80! Maestro Ion Buzea had a successful international career on the greatest opera stages. He was called a favourite of the audiences in Vienna and Zurich by the press of the Salzburg Festival in 1968. Following his debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Opera News USA used the most encomiastic adjectives to describe him, comparing his voice to those of Franco Corelli and Giuseppe di Stefano and considering his stage presence overwhelming. For me, it is a great honour and joy to be able to include the Maestro’s historic, remastered recordings on this album. The album was recorded in Germany, at the beginning of this year, on a very special Steinway: special from the historical point of view, because great pianists played and recorded on it at the Abbey Road Studios. The Steinway&Sons Company was again brilliantly represented this time and I was really happy that this programme, including the music of tenor Ion Buzea was recorded using this wonderful piano.” Radio Romania Muzical, Interview, 1 July 2014, CD Release Chants nostalgiques/Luiza Borac piano

“The recitals reveal Buzea, though known for operatic roles, to be a tenor of subtle sensitivity, especially on Schumann’s Du bist wie eine Blume“. The Independent

“Heartbreakingly beautiful tenor of Ion Buzea…” Pianist Magazine, 16 September 2014

“Most remarkable, however, are five songs sung by Romanian tenor Ion Buzea at the age of 30 in 1964, with Borac grafting her own playing on in the introductions or postludes. Well, if Frank Patterson could duet with John McCormack, why not?” Irish Times, 8 August 2014

“honey-voiced tenor Ion Buzea” Fanfare, January 2015