Universal / Philips 476 138-2    

MARTINA WOLTHAT, MUSIC COMMENTED, DRS 2 CLASSIC TIPP
"As a rule, lieder are accompanied by a piano. That has not always been the case though. At the "Schubertiaden", lieder were frequently sung to the tune of a guitar. Schubert's lieder were quite often already arranged for guitar when they first went to print. Soprano Martina Janková and guitarist Christoph Denoth restore some of the spontaneity so typical for this instrumentation to Schubert's, Mozart's, and Haydn's lieder. The recording creates an impression of intimacy and a performance wholly devoted to music. "

R. RINGGER, NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG, 6. JANUAR 2004
[.] "Viennese lieder - by Joseph Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert. Martina Janková of the Zurich Opera House presents them under the CD theme of ,An den Mond'.
Her svelte soprano no doubt radiates night-time charm: a light, lilting voice almost like that of a soubrette with an enchanting and almost instrument-like and nimble legato and sparingly but effectively used vibrato. A special allure is created because these lieder are accompanied by a guitar - a customary approach in Schubert's time whenever lieder were performed at a convivial gathering in a salon or out of doors, above all for gallant serenades. Guitarist Christoph Denoth is able to attract such moods with his playing. (Hardly imaginable that fully nine lieder can be announced as 'world premieres for soprano and guitar' here!) The instrumentalist additionally distinguishes himself with solo guitar pieces by Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Sor [.].

HANS ULI VON ERLACH, SCHWEIZER ILLUSTRIERTE, 19. JANUAR 2004
Young Czech soprano Martina Janková , nowadays among other things a star at the Zurich Opera House, has a silvery soprano with a highly personal timbre - an ideal voice for these lieder by Mozart, Haydn, Schubert , and Fernando Sor , true gems of the art of singing.
Rather unusual but truly delightful, the accompaniment that is usually set for piano: the guitar. Christoph Denoth, resorting to arrangements harking back to the time this music was written, accompanies her with discreet elegance."

BASLER ZEITUNG, 07./08. FEBRUAR 2004
"Loud sounds are not the domain of the guitar. It is at home with more intimate sounds and wishes to shine with the finest of shadings rather than bright contrasts. [.] It enjoys a well-earned renaissance. An den Mond or To the Moon is the title of a collection of songs - named for a Haydn song - that Christoph Denoth presents together with Martina Janková. The two succeed in offering us a fascinating round dance of Classical and Romantic lieder [.]."