Album Notes

Soprano Serena Benedetti and pianist JJ Penna bring the intensity of their live performances into this debut recording. Longtime friends and collaborators, Benedetti and Penna believe in the concept of ‘first thought, best thought’ in selecting material. Performing Strauss together is a kinesthetic experience, following a feeling of intrinsic rightness along with a comprehensive knowledge of the Strauss lieder tradition. All of the songs, including the spectacular Brentano Lieder, possess emotional triggers for Benedetti and Penna, enabling them to approach the material from a variety of angles and present the songs in a personal way.