L’esprit français

Once again – already for the 14th time! – it is Un!erhört (unheard-of) at GENUIN when the two indefatigable musical gold-diggers Ilona Then-Bergh (violin) and Michael Schäfer (piano) set out on a journey. This time they take us along into the realm of the heirs to Debussy and Ravel, into the land of esprit français. They have collected works of Florent Schmitt, Jan Ingenhoven and Laszlo Lajhta (the last two even world premiere recordings!) and we are astonished, enchanted and intoxicated: what colours, what unexpected harmonies, what musical richness presented in utter perfection - between the wide Dutch plains and the terrific speed of a Magyar express train!

Fanfare
"For those interested in this repertory or these specific composers, the duo has provided a most rewarding hour’s worth of music..."
Review on the magazine Fanfare by Robert Maxham, 19 August 2014

American Record Guide
"Listening to the Lajtha is like entering a room of fresh, clean, and thought-provoking art that invigorates the eye and the spirit."
Review on the American Record Guide by Elaine Fine, 16 September 2014

Music Web International
"The programming juxtapositions work well here, and the well-recorded performances from Ilona Then-Bergh and Michael Schäfer are thoroughly persuasive."
Review on the Music Web International by Jonathan Woolf, November 2014