DEBUT CD RELEASE

Joshua Kosman, SF Gate:

“It wouldn't be easy to envision a savvier or more impressive debut than this sumptuous and elegantly sung French disc from the young American soprano Susanna Phillips. The programming alone is a treat, encompassing both the familiar pleasures of Debussy's "Ariettes oubliées" and the still too rarely done "Poèmes pour Mi" of Messiaen (both the work of young visionaries beginning to find their stylistic path); a handful of Fauré songs fills out the roster nicely. And Phillips follows through on that promise with singing that is both tender and fearless. Her approach is precise and clear-edged, and if she were a less expressive artist, the results might easily have sounded a bit bright for this music. But Phillips uses her clean tone (and fine diction) to wonderful advantage, letting you hear just what the music is doing without obscuring the slight air of mystery that makes it so alluring. Pianist Myra Huang is a formidable pianist, supportive and strong.”

Elena Saavreda Buckley, CD Review:

“Easily one of the best solo vocal albums of the year, Paysages gives the listener more than a collection of songs; within it is music so purely fluid, breathtaking, and surreal that a listen is more of a journey to a separate world than an addition to an existing one. Phillips has included three composers on the album: Debussy, Fauré, and Messiaen. While all three are French, lived in similar time periods, and use comparable sounds occasionally, each composer brings out a different perspective in their choice of texts and music, and Phillips takes advantage of this. She is able to take each song, which posses unique destinations and atmospheres, and create a true collection, something that is varying but connected.”

Track Listing: