January 2024
The album ‘Hélène de Montgeroult, Portrait d’une compositrice visionnaire’, peformed by Marcia Hadjimarkos, square piano, Beth Taylor, mezzo-soprano, and Nicolas Mazzoleni, violin, was released on the Seulétoile label in October 2023.
It has earned praise from Diapason magazine (5 Diapasons ), Classica, ON-mag, and Grey Panthers. It’s been featured in interviews with Stéphane Capron on France Inter’s 7-10 and Frédéric Hutman on Ondes Sensibles and RCJ Radio’s Au diapason. Bénito Pelerin of RCF Radio’s La Culture en Provence gave it a glowing review, and Crescendo Magazineloved it. BFC Classic Radio made it their record of the week, broadcasting five interviews with Marcia Hadjimarkos and lots of excerpts from the album.
Some enthusiastic snippets from these sources:
“The etudes are touching miniatures that foreshadow Romanticism. Marcia Hadjimarkos’ clear enunciation, her sensitive phrasing, and the variety of her registration – the ‘celeste’ with its strikingly subtle halo, the dramatic atmosphere lent by the ‘bassoon’, the cheeky ‘lute’ – add relief to these pages. Beth Taylor’s ardent timbre and Nicolas Mazzoleni’s rather delicate tone accompany her on this many-hued journey.” Diapason
“The listener is transported into an expressive universe overflowing with noble vitality, which Marcia Hadjimarkos delivers with unceasing fluidity. Mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor and violinist Nicolas Mazzoleni are worthy partners.” Crescendo Magazine
“The 11 Etudes take us on a tour of Hélène de Montgeroult’s emotional world, and are served by a very supple, imaginative, and always elegant touch. The Sonata for piano with violin accompaniment opens a window on a hitherto neglected aspect of the composer’s work. As for the Nocturnes, they highlight her obsession for legato, which is as fundamental to singing as it is to piano and violin playing. Beth Taylor and Nicolas Mazzoleni understand this perfectly.” Classica
“Marcia Hadjimarkos offers us fascinating liner notes about historic pianos…a beautiful expressive sound in Etude 38, breathless excitement in Etude 63…highly operatic Nocturnes with the superb voice of Beth Taylor.”, La Culture en Province, RCF
“Today we can rediscover these compositions thanks to Marcia Hadjimarkos, who reveals all their modernity.” Stéphane Capron, France Inter – “A thrilling album.” Frédéric Hutman, Ondes Sensibles – “The instrument, a Neuhaus from 1817, is splendid.” Grey Panthers