PENTATONE releases L’extase: Debussy & Messiaen Songs with Magdalena Kožená and Mitsuko Uchida in JUNE 2025.
FRENCH SONGS FULL OF RAPTURE
Mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená and pianist Mitsuko Uchida unite on L’extase, an evocative album of French songs by Debussy and Messiaen, whose works are rich in color, sensuality, and exoticism. This recording showcases the duo’s deep connection to French repertoire as well as their remarkable musical chemistry.
The album derives its name from the sultry song ‘C’est l’extase langoureuse’ from Debussy’s Ariettes oubliées, and this song cycle is combined with his Chansons de Bilitis and Cinq poèmes des Baudelaires, while Messiaen is represented by the second book of his Poèmes pour Mi, a declaration of love for his first wife Claire Delbos.
With L’extase, star mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená presents the seventh album of her exclusive collaboration with Pentatone, after having presented Il giardino dei sospiri, Soirée (both 2019), Nostalgia (2021), Folk Songs (2023), the title role in Handel’s Alcina and Czech Songs (both 2024). One of the most revered artists of our time, Mitsuko Uchida is known as a peerless interpreter of the works of Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and Beethoven, as well for being a devotee of the piano music of Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and György Kurtág. She makes her PENTATONE debut.
“French music has been a passion of mine since childhood and it has been an eight year journey to bring these extraordinarily subtle colourful cycles to this CD recording.
Mitsuko has been the ideal partner along the way. Her endless range of textures means that one can almost see the colours and smell the perfume.
I am so grateful for the privilege to record these masterpieces, some of which are far too little known.”
Magdalena Kožená
Digital Release Date: 6 JUNE 2025
Physical Release: JUNE 2025
Released physically on standard CD and digital formats for streaming and high-resolution downloads.
