Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Dissonance (2022) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

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.

This recording has been highly anticipated. For years, Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian has been renowned within the international scene, and now she’s finally released her first album: Dissonance, recorded with the Lithuanian-Russian pianist Lukas Geniušas. Dissonance—the name of one of Rachmaninov’s Romances, op. 34—consists of a total of 19 pieces, all of which are filled with intimate conflicts (at least in relation to their lyrics or the circumstances in which they were written). “On the contrary,” says the soprano, “our duo is in perfect harmony.”

In his Romances, which appeared roughly between 1890 and 1906, Rachmaninov immortalised, in music, poets and writers such as Alexander Pushkin, Afanassi Fet, Heinrich Heine, Anton Tchekov and Fiodor Tiuttchev, to name but a few. The same theme runs through all these texts: the intimate conflicts and sufferings that arise when two lovers are unable to overcome obstacles in order to fully embrace their true feelings for one other.

From drama to poetry, from love to death, from beauty to suffering: all these themes are put to music in titles like Child, you are beautiful as a flower, op. 8 No 2, I wait for thee, op. 14 No. 1, How much it hurts, op. 21 no. 12, and the closing title: We shall rest, op. 26 no. 3. “In life,” explains Grigorian, “dissonance serves as a way to make consonance—that is, beauty and harmony—heard again. It helps us recognise and truly feel life’s brightness, something we can’t appreciate when there’s no suffering. ”

With their masterful technique and unique form of musical expression, Grigorian and Geniušas don’t sound like two musicians who’ve never recorded together before. Their artistic symbiosis creates a balance that’s perhaps further strengthened by the cultural affinity between the two performers and the composer himself. With this release, listeners are treated to a real musical romance. – Lena Germann

Tracklist:
01. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 14 Romances, Op. 34: XIII. Dissonance (06:24)
02. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 6 Romances, Op. 8: II. Child! Thou Art as Beautiful as a Flower (02:04)
03. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 14: I. I Wait for Thee (01:51)
04. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 14: VIII. Oh, Do not Grieve! (03:45)
05. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 15 Romances, Op. 26: II. He Took All from Me (01:11)
06. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: III. Twilight (01:57)
07. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: IV. They Answered (01:40)
08. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 14: VII. Believe Me Not, Friend! (01:47)
09. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: VII. How Fair this Spot (02:04)
10. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 6 Romances, Op. 4: IV. Do not Sing, My Beauty (04:35)
11. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: XI. No Prophet I (01:26)
12. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: XII. How Painful for Me (02:01)
13. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: V. Lilacs (01:51)
14. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 14: XI. Spring Waters (02:09)
15. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 6 Romances, Op. 8: V. The Dream (01:21)
16. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 14 Romances, Op. 34: XII. What Happiness (02:30)
17. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 6 Romances, Op. 4: III. In the Silence of the Secret Night (02:43)
18. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 12 Romances, Op. 21: VI. Fragment from Musset (01:48)
19. Asmik Grigorian and Lukas Geniušas – Rachmaninoff: 15 Romances, Op. 26: III. Let Us Rest (02:28)

Download:

mqs.link_AsmikGrig0rianandLukasGeniuasRachmanin0ffDiss0nance20222496.rar

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