Canellakis conducts Berlioz, Boulanger and Skrjabin

The American mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will be soloing in one of her favourite works: Berlioz' intimate cycle Les nuits d'été. Karina Canellakis also leads the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in poetic works by Skrjabin and Boulanger.

Sasha Cooke in Berlioz' Les nuits d'été

The American mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will be soloing with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in a work by one of her favourite composers. Berlioz is unparalleled', the Grammy winner said in an interview. Cooke can't get enough of Berlioz's unique colours, harmony and melodies and regularly sings his pieces. Today it is the cycle Les nuits d'été. Six intimate, sometimes introspective songs about life, love and death. The perfect match for Cooke, who was praised by Opera News for her 'poise, charisma and elegant directness'.

Skrjabin's Le poème de l'ecstasy

Karina Canellakis leads her Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in two more poetic works. She puts just the right amount of 'mystery and softness' into Skrjabin's Le poème de l'ecstasy, according to an American newspaper. The Russian composer also wrote a 'real' poem to accompany his symphonic poem. In it, he sketches a world full of dreams, magic, dark rhythms and the urge to live. D'un soir triste by Lili Boulanger is a poignant farewell to the world, written shortly before her untimely death.