Press & Reviews

CD Reviews (“Schoenberg: Lieder”, Brilliant Classics, April 2022)

"Fascinating record in more ways than one. Question of specialists (and amateurs): which work(s) of Schoenberg constitute(s) the tipping point towards atonality? The disc opens with the four Lieder op. 2 by a 20-year-old composer, still marked by post-romanticism, even if we hear the premises of the language of the Gurrelieder, and closes with the poisonous Buch der hängenen Garten op. 15, where the tone faded. Then the very particular genesis of this recording. Violinist and [conductor], Paul Zukofsky ended his life in Hong Kong as a guru of contemporary music. Musical love at first sight for soprano Jasmine Law on a Pierrot Lunaire, Zukofsky recruited pianist Nancy Loo and [coached the pieces] for this album. The choice of a lyrical soprano, a Countess from Nozze di Figaro, might come as a surprise, were it not for the fleshy medium rich in colors of Jasmine Law, capable of exhaling the bewitching perfumes of the Hanging Gardens, and of summoning atmospheres worthy of the Rivage des Syrtes. The Debussyst Nancy Loo puts an orchestra in her piano. The depth of her playing, the extent of her palette, her chiaroscuros make her the true mastermind of this fine contribution to this little-frequented side of Schoenberg's work.” 

                                                                              Olivier Gutierrez, Clic Musique!
                                                                              (Translation French – English, Google Translate)

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“Schoenberg from Hong Kong (although recorded in Italy)! Schoenberg expert Paul Zokofsky, an American expatriate residing in Hong Kong, chose both artists and prepared their original performance of The Book of the Hanging Gardens, but he died more than a year before the recording was made in September 2018. Both artists are from Hong Kong as well. Jasmine Law has a warm, liquid soprano that resonates beautifully with the ringing tones of Nancy Loo’s piano. I have long had a favorite recording of this work, sung by Phyllis Bryn-Julson and played by Ursula Oppens, on Music & Arts CD-650. Law and Loo are even more beautiful; Law sings with great emotion…When I want to wallow in this work, I will listen to Law and Loo.”

 

                                                                              James H. North, Fanfare Magazine

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“The song cycle The Book of the Hanging Gardens by Arnold Schoenberg, written in 1908/09 and based on poems by Stefan George, is anything but easy to absorb and, as Schoenberg's first work in free atonality, places very high demands on voice and interpretation. It is therefore more than courageous that Hong Kong-Chinese Jasmine Law (soprano) and Nancy Loo (piano) recorded the rarely heard, bulky work… in September 2018, which BRILLIANT CLASSICS (96503) has now released…the young singer makes every effort to shape the content of the complicated atonal tone sequences and to interpret the text; despite some all too well-behaved singing down of the notes, the respective moods usually become clear. It is also positive to note that she knows how to lead her soprano cleanly through all registers and masters even the most difficult interval jumps. The excellent pianist is a reliable partner for her.”

                                                                             Gerhard Eckels, Opera Lounge
                                                                             (Translation German – English, Google Translate)