The Swedish-Russian soprano, Elisabeth Söderström, made several landmark recordings for Decca – operas by Janacek, the complete songs of Rachmaninov and Sibelius both of which were recorded with Vladimir Ashkenazy. With Ashkenazy too she recorded songs by Chopin and her lyric/dramatic soprano fully captures the range of these songs, from tenderness to pathos. Ashkenazy is an ideal partner, given how closely he is associated with the music of Chopin and the two artists truly spark off one another.
FREDERICK CHOPIN
Pieóni i piosnki (17) (Seventeen Polish Songs), Op. 74
Czary (Charms), KK.IVa/11
Dumka (Reverie), KK.IVb/9
Elisabeth Soderstrom, soprano
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Recording producer: Michael Haas
Recording engineer: Simon Eadon
Recording location: St. Barnabas, North Finchley, London, England, May 1984
‘Her velvety tone is creamy yet pure, and she sang without any mannerisms that beset some of the top lyrical sopranos today: no scooping, no mushy diction. At times, her timbre reminds one of Seefried and Streich’. Amazon.com review