Various Artists - Arion (CD)

Soprano Natalya Romaniw and pianist Lada Valešova take us on a journey through Slavic song on this sumptuous album. Welsh-born soprano Natalya Romaniw is of Ukrainian descent, roots she explores in this recital, which is dedicated to her Ukrainian grandfather. The generous programme encompasses a wealth of music by Russian and Czech composers. Dvorak's Love Songs, Op.83, are at the heart of the album, and his idiomatic Czech style influenced Janacek, from whom we hear a selection of Moravian folk songs. Novak in turn was fascinated by Moravian folk music and was influenced by Janacek; Novak's gift for melody shines in Romaniw's interpretations of his songs. From Russia, meanwhile, we hear magical, almost operatic music from Rimsky-Korsakov, powerful passion from Tchaikovsky, and some of Rachmaninov's most exquisite songs. Natalya Romaniw is often noted for the Slavic character of her voice, a quality heard to full effect on this recording.