MUSIFÉE

Visions Illuminées

Soprano Mary Bevan's third recital album, featuring Britten's Les Illuminations and French mélodies.

Mary Bevan expands on the idea of illuminations with this album of French songs, featuring works by composers including Britten, Ravel, Debussy and Fauré. The album centres around Britten’s setting of Rimbaud Les Illuminations, originally written for soprano Sophie Wyss in 1939, but often sung and recorded by tenor. Rimbaud’s poetry has an unusual depth with evocative language, hauntingly beautiful and jarring at times, blurring reality and surrealism.

The album features three world premiere recordings: Charbrier’s lost string orchestra arrangement of Tes Yeux Bleus, Robin Holloway’s new arrangement for piano quintet of Debussy’s Quatre Mélodies de Verlaine, and Augusta Holmés’ arrangement of Sérénades for piano quintet.

Tes Yeux Bleus and Chansons Triste feature in our playlists Weekend Classics and Art Song.

Love in Exile

Grammy award-winning singer Arooj Aftab collaborates with jazz pianist Vijay Iyer and multi-instramentalist Shahzad Ismaily on this improvisatory album Love in Exile.

Mélusine

Grammy award-winning jazz singer Cecile McLorin Salvant uses the story of European folkloric legend of Mélusine to reveal secrets and explore identity.

Mendelssohn

Award-winning ensemble Consone Quartet begin their series of Mendelssohn’s complete string quartets, here with fresh interpretation of his ‘1823’ quartet on gut strings.

Racing The Storm

The second collaboration between Icelandic singer-songwriter Emilíana Torrini and Belgian duo The Colorist Orchestra.

Safe Ground

Filipino-American singer-songwriter Sandrayati releases her intimate debut album exploring love, identity and courage.

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