Magdalena Kozená - Le belle immagini (Mozart, Gluck, Myslivecek)
Mozart and Gluck may make natural bedfellows for a program of arias, but Josef Myslivecek is not a name that would jump to most minds to join them. Czech mezzoMagdalena Kozenámay be about to change that. In his time (1737-1781), the Czech composer was up there with the greats after his studies in Italy. He couldn't have a more persuasive champion than Kozená, who sets out to show why Myslivecek was counted among the country's 10 most successful composers. The young Kozená's mantelpiece is already crowded with competition trophies, including a 2001 Gramophone Award for her CD ofeastern European love songswith Graham Johnson. Her voice is one to cherish. Her repertoire on this disc is not just a patriotic Czech waving the flag for her fellow countryman. Try any one of the four Myslivecek arias on this disc, and it is clear that he can easily hold his head high among this exalted company. This is a stimulating recital disc to play again and again. It is also a bouquet for the young players of the Prague Philharmonia under Michel Swierczewski.--Keith Clarke