Magdalena Kožená sings Cole Porter

Brnofon

There’s an obvious quirkiness in the way mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená sings the immortal songs of Cole Porter, given that she’s Czech and her native accent is hard to hide. And yet it works, giving such popular Porter hits as Always True To You, Love for Sale, My Heart Belongs

to Daddy and Begin the Beguine an alluring exotic colouring. Of course, Kožená is no stranger to repertoire that is lighter than her trademark classical, as past populist diversions at the Edinburgh International Festival have reminded us. It’s all to do with hitting the core sentiment of the song, which is what she does with a husky sensuality and carefree energy. It helps that she has the superb authentic swing backing of Ondrej Havelka & His Melody Makers. Highlights include Kožená’s liquid interpretation of It’s Alright With Me, the darkened tones of Love for Sale and the ebb and flow of What Is This

Thing Called Love. Not everything works perfectly, but enough to make this disc well worth a listen.