Wonders from Warsaw is how the BBC Music Magazine describes in its September issue Polish singers Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano) and Mariusz Kwiecień (baritone).

Their CD featuring Chopin’s Complete Songs, released on the National Fryderyk Chopin Institute label in its Real Chopin series (using a piano of the composer’s day) is given the highest mark (five stars) in both the performance and recording categories. Nelson Goerner is the accompanist.

The BBC Music Magazine writes: “The predominant tone is simple lyricism, and Kurzak captures it beautifully with her glinting soprano, moving easily between melancholy and shy eroticism. […] Kwiecień sings with soft-grained warmth. This unpretentious disc comes highly recommended. It could be one of the most significant releases of the Chopin Year.”

In recent years both Kurzak and Kwiecień developed a fine international career, with appearances at the Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. (mk)