Yuliya
Azica, 2025
9/10
Sarah Moulton Faux’s stunning soprano and Konstantin Soukhovetski’s keys come together for these Julia Weissberg Rimsky-Korsakov lost scores that were retrieved by Faux and have been unheard for decades.
The elegant “3 Romances, Op. 1” opens with Faux’s expressive pipes matching Soukhovetski’s colorful keys with much power and emotion, and “Rautendelein, Op. 3” follows with a quick demeanor of colorful piano amid the soaring storytelling.
In the middle, “Gulnara's Song, Op. 32” radiates tremendous grace thanks to the flowing keys and lovely vocals, while “2 Chansons, Op. 2: No. 1” embraces intimacy and soulfulness via the heartfelt delivery.
Deeper still, “Moon Fairy Tale, Op. 8” showcases the duo’s inimitable chemistry thanks to much beauty and wonder, and “From Chinese Poetry, Op. 7: No. 2” exits with Faux’s impressive range that allures us alongside Soukhovetski’s animated finger acrobatics.
A highly technical effort that allows for these buried gems to be heard again with a timeless harmonic language and much emotional range, under Faux’s vision we are moved and awed.
Travels well with: Apollo Chamber Players- Ban Stories Of Censorship; Franci Poulenc- Métamorphoses