Virpi Raisanen, Marita Viitasalo – The Legacy of Mahler (2012/2016) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

Ondine is pleased to announce the debut release of charismatic mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen. Having already performed as a successful violinist, Virpi Räisänen has since appeared as a singer at the Staatsoper in Berlin, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Netherlands Opera and the Salzburg Festival with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ingo Metzmacher in Nono’s opera Al gran sole carico d’amore in 2009 and in the premiere of Wolfgang Rihms’s Dionysos in 2010.

Virpi Räisänen, one of the most sought after Finnish female singing talents at the moment, has garnered an impressive list of honours and achievements both as a mezzo soprano and earlier as a concert violinist. Next to her successful violin career singing was always her other passion, earning her singing diploma with the highest distinction. Her warm mezzo voice and her strong musicality is leading her from one success to another.

‘There are lovely, even bewitching songs here … Räisänen can command a wide range of vocal colours as well as fine accuracy and control … the accompaniment is consistently excellent and unobtrusive.’ (American Record Guide)

‘It was fascinating to hear this debut recital disc from Virpi Räisänen. She performs with great enthusiasm and assurance. I admired the emotion she brings to bear in her mid-to-lower register. Viitasalo does sterling work throughout and deserves praise. Räisänen is very talented …’ (MusicWeb International)

The Legacy of Mahler from mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen is a collection of late Romanticism Lieder by Mahler as well as Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg, Dmitri Shostakovich and Benjamin Britten, who were all strongly inspired by Mahler. Räisänen’s duo partner at the piano is the highly-acclaimed Marita Viitasalo.

Tracklist:
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
01. Ablösung im Sommer 1:48
02. Frühlingsmorgen 2:00
03. Erinnerung 2:59
04. Hans und Grete 2:26
05. Serenade 1:48
06. Phantasie 2:30
Alban Berg (1885-1935)
07. Sehnsucht I 1:14
08. Er klagt, daß der Frühling so kurz blüht 1:04
09. Regen 1:30
10. Schließe mir die Augen beide (1907) 1:04
11. Schließe mir die Augen beide (1925) 1:39
12. Schlafen, schlafen 2:56
13. Leukon 1:18
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951)
from: Brettl-Lieder (Cabaret Songs)
14. Galathea 3:17
15. Einfältiges Lied 2:34
16. Der genügsame Liebhaber 2:47
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Two Fables, Op. 4
17. The Dragonfly and the Ant 2:41
18. The Ass and the Nightingale 4:47
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
A Charm of Lullabies
19. A Cradle Song 2:25
20. The Highland Balou 2:00
21. Sephestia’s Lullaby 2:01
22. A Charm 1:45
23. The Nurse’s Song 3:55