CD - Whispering Leaves  

Whispering Leaves ist das Debütalbum der Cellistin Lucie Stepanova und der Pianistin Ksenia Kouzmenko mit Werken von Leos Janacek, Josef Palenicek und Bohuslav Martinu, erschienen bei Cobra Records.

Das Album zählt zu den meistverkauften Veröffentlichungen des Labels auf Native DSD und wurde von der Fachpresse hochgelobt.

 

Gramophone

...This is a beautifully constructed and beautifully played recital of Czech Music for Cello and Piano...

Guy Rickards

de Volkskrant

Stepanova and Kouzmenko find a nice balance between passion and modesty. They surround Palenicek’s composition with works by his fellow countrymen Janacek and Martinu. The album gives a nice impression of the wide palette of musical styles that originated in the Czech Republic in the first half of the last century.

Biëlla Luttmer - Source

Crescendo Magazine

Czech cellist Lucie Stepanova and Belarusian pianist Ksenia Kouzmenko tackle this demanding repertoire with interpretations that reveal all the originality of each of these composers.

Pierre Fontenelle - Source

Pizzicato

...The interaction between the two instrumentalists also sounds like a fairytale... Lucie Stepanova and Ksenia Kouzmenko form a sensitively operating duo with fine artistic capabilities...

Uwe Krusch - Source

 

Luister 5 out of 5

Jacancek’s A Blown-Away Leaf is perhaps more beautiful than the original for piano. Stepanova and Kouzmenko lovingly complement each other.

I am already eagerly looking forward to their next album.

Carine Alders

 

Music Frames

An absolutely great album!

Matti Poels - Source

Stretto

...A sublime album by two top musicians......Highly recommended...

Michel Dutrieue - Source

 

Opus Klassiek

I do not believe that this music could sound more idiomatic. As if four master hands have taken care of it.

It is also the lyrical depth that the duo constantly manages to achieve, as in the Largo from Martinu’s sonata. You would almost forget that this is an extremely virtuoso program that demands the highest technical requirements.

The many hurdles, however, are not only taken with the greatest of ease, but also the passionate and energetic touch is of a rare penetration and beauty. There is no doubt. Here, music is played at the highest possible level.

...A sublime edition!...

Aart van der Wal - Source