Edvard Grieg

"Recommended: Norwegian dramatic soprano Lise Davidsen has become one of the hottest new names on the vocal firmament ... It was only a matter of time before she would devote a disc to her great compatriot Edvard Grieg and his marvellous songs ... and when she chose to collaborate with the masterly pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, things looked very promising ... What followed was 80 minutes of the most glorious singing of Grieg I had heard in a long time ... Lise Davidsen's reading is deeply sensitive and compassioned and the disc is well worth purchasing for Haugtussa alone".

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"Recording of the week: This is one of those albums where the synergy between the two artists and their mutual affinity with the repertoire combine to truly spellbinding effect. Davidsen may be destined for Isolde and Brünnhilde, but she's also capable of extraordinary delicacy when painting on a smaller canvas - and Andsnes backs her to the hilt throughout, revelling in the passages where she unleashes the full firepower but never obscuring the vocal line in the many magical moments where she tapers the sound to a fine silvery thread".

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"Kielland brings to [Haugtussa] a gleaming voice, lit with cool sunlight from the north, and a native Norwegian's way with the words. There is a simplicity and directness about this performance, mirrored in Nils Anders Mortensen's accompaniments, that brings a deep-seated kind of satisfaction".

"The greatly gifted Marianne Beate Kielland is to be applauded for this new recording ... Her voice voice is a very beautiful one, carefully and finely modulated throughout its range, and her inherent musical intelligence has produced a set of performances which will give much pleasure to many listeners".

"Recording of the month - Editor's choice: This album is something of an A&R executive's dream: two Norwegian superstars ... brought together to record music by the country's most popular composer. It's a mouth-watering prospect on paper, and I'm happy to report that it doesn't disappoint ... Freshness is one of the characteristics that shines most compellingly throughout this generous 80-minutes selection. There's the freshness of Davidsen's voice ... which has a rare rich beauty ... In purely vocal terms, it's a stunning display of range and technical control ... Andsnes's role cannot be overestimated, either. His playing is supremely refined and sensitive ... This new album, capturing a different approach to these songs, is no less essential. An outstanding release".