ABCD 331 Anu Komsi: Being Beauteous

***** (Five stars)

"In peak form, the Finnish soprano has a bell-like top and unerring pitch accuracy. Both are of demonstration standard in this eclectic trawl of 20th century works by Britten (Les Illuminations - the best I've heard), Schoenberg, Castiglioni, Szymanowski and Henze, whose 1963 Being Beauteous gives the album its title. The conductors in these live performances are Sakari Oramo - Anu's husband - and Juha Kangas, but the voice is central here - and often sensational. I'm falling in love with the Henze."

Norman Lebrecht

--> Britten - Henze - Schönberg - Castiglioni - Szymanowski Being Beauteous