Valer Sabadus & Spark - Closer to Paradise (2022) [Hi-Res]

On their new album "Closer to Paradise", Spark form a unique partnership with the internationally acclaimed countertenor Valer Sabadus to produce, in musical form, a feeling of longing, that wonderful, painful yet bitter-sweet emotional state ’twixt melancholy and happiness. The spectrum of works ranges from the classical masters such as Antonio Vivaldi, Robert Schumann, Gabriel Fauré, Erik Satie and Kurt Weill through to French chansonnier Leo Ferré, Italian cantautore Lucio Dalla, American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, British synth-rock-group Depeche Mode and the German cult band Rammstein. Rounded off with some compositions by the Spark musicians themselves, the pieces blend into an aural study of emotions, the fruit of an exciting musical collaboration and a consistently thrilling recording project.

The archetype of happiness, a sanctuary of peace and harmony, the focus of our longings: the innovative chamber-music formation Spark quickly recognised "Paradise" as the central topic at the heart of this album. The works, specially arranged, re-worked, completely re-orientated, or even totally new, all underscore aspects of longing and rapture – thereby creating a link to a star singer with a vocal register that will take your breath away. Countertenor Valer Sabadus, a frequent performer on all the great stages around the world, turns premonition of out to be the perfect companion for Spark’s journey closer to paradise, whether when languishing in Vivaldi’s intoxicating aria "Vedrò con mio diletto", sensing the powerful yet fragile death in Rammstein’s Seemann or yielding to the French insouciance of Youkali: Sabadus and Spark are a match made in heaven.

The arrangements, tailor-made for his voice, offer him the opportunity to demonstrate a truly stupendous versatility. From Romantically whispered passages through to forceful, rock-laden melodies, the global star pulls out all the stops of his vocal art and is thoroughly persuasive – not least because he never resorts to pretence and also because the intelligently conceived sounds of Spark provide precisely the right framework for his highly emotional interpretations. Yet again, the Classical Band shines in the role of classical chameleon – as a group able to engage sensitively with its guest and while simultaneously celebrating a stylistic diversity that is truly second to none.

Classical masterworks, folk songs, chansons and rock songs – all are mixed up with wild abandon, Spark’s innovative concept providing them with their own coherence that is aurally persuasive and dramaturgically convincing. The natural blend of classical and modern music brings an astonishingly fresh aura to this classical album. In their new context, the individual works have gained a sense of timelessness. In just the same way that the feeling of longing is all-embracing and timeless.