Stella Doufexis, Opus21musikplus, Konstantia Gourzi - Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire (2013)

Pierrot Lunaire and Berio's Folk Songs, classics of the twentieth century repertoire, inhabit entirely different aesthetic spheres, but their pairing is apt; the earthiness of Folk Songs is an ideal foil to Pierrot's strange otherworldliness. Hearing them together is revelatory because the juxtaposition accentuates the strength and individuality of each, and somehow they just seem to fit musically. This recording is also unique in separating the three sections of Pierrot with jazz interludes played by pianist Maria Baptist. Baptist uses material derived from Schoenberg's music, and the interludes flow smoothly, sometimes imperceptibly, out of and into the surrounding songs. They are not conventionally "jazzy" and have an intelligence and complexity reminiscent of Ligeti's Etudes. Konstantia Gourzi, who conceived of this pairing and the jazz interpolations, conducts the ensemble opus21musikplus. The performances are particularly vital -- instrumental details emerge with sometimes startling clarity -- and she shapes the songs beautifully so that both their delicacy and strength are highlighted. Greek-German mezzo-soprano Stella Doufexis has a strikingly lovely, pure, focused, and supple voice that she uses as tellingly in Sprechstimme as in traditional bel canto. The variety and subtlety of tonal and expressive colors (and dialects, too) she brings to the Berio are exactly what the work demands, but it has rarely been heard with such vividness. Doufexis' interpretations are nuanced and psychologically insightful; her performances are among the finest recorded versions of both works. Neos' sound is immaculate, immediate, and intimate. Highly recommended.