Cheryl Studer, the renowned soprano, presents a captivating collection of classical masterpieces on her album "Tune Your Brain," released on January 1, 1997, under the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label. This album is a testament to Studer's extraordinary vocal range and versatility, spanning a variety of genres within the classical realm, including opera and orchestral works.
The album opens with the ancient "Misa mozárabe," showcasing Studer's ability to navigate complex vocal lines with ease. It then transitions into the hauntingly beautiful "Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor" by Chopin, demonstrating her sensitivity and expressiveness. The inclusion of Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 17" and Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in C" highlights her affinity for Baroque and Classical periods.
Studer's interpretative skills shine in the operatic selections, such as the dramatic "Die Walküre" from Wagner's Ring Cycle and the passionate "Carmen" by Bizet. The album also features orchestral pieces like Holst's "The Planets" and Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," providing a rich tapestry of sounds and styles.
With a duration of 1 hour and 11 minutes, "Tune Your Brain" is a compact yet comprehensive journey through some of the most beloved and influential works in classical music. Cheryl Studer's impeccable technique and profound musicality make this album a standout in her discography and a delight for any classical music enthusiast.
Misa mozárabe: Praelegendum - Tractus - Ad confractionemAnonymous, Coro de Monjes de la Abadía de Santo Domingo de Silos, Dom Ismael Fernández de la Cuesta
Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1Frédéric Chopin, Tamás Vásáry
Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453: III. AllegrettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Géza Anda, Camerata Salzburg
Prelude and Fugue in C (WTK, Book I, No. 1), BWV 846: Prelude and FugueJohann Sebastian Bach, Trevor Pinnock
PivaJoan Ambrosio Dalza, Piffaro, Joan Kimball, Robert Wiemken
Music for the Royal Fireworks: Suite HWV 351: IV. La réjouissanceGeorge Frideric Handel, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Die Schöpfung Hob. XXI:2 / Dritter Teil: No. 32 Chor: "Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen"Joseph Haydn, Caroline Stormer, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: I. Moderato nobileErich Wolfgang Korngold, Gil Shaham, London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
The Planets, Op. 32: I. Mars, The Bringer Of WarGustav Holst, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, CD 87aClaude Debussy, The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Ave Maria, "Ellens Gesang III", D839 - Arr. Ion MarinFranz Schubert, Cheryl Studer, London Symphony Orchestra, Ion Marin
Die Walküre - Erster Tag des Bühnenfestspiels "Der Ring des Nibelungen" / Dritter Aufzug: Szene 1: "Hojotoho! Heiaha!"Richard Wagner, Linda Kelm, Marita Napier, Marilyn Mims, Diane Kesling, Anne Wilkens, Meredith Parsons, Ursula Engert, Reinhild Runkel, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine
Carmen, WD 31 / Act 1: Prelude to Act 1 - ExcerptGeorges Bizet, Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris, Myung-Whun Chung