“. . . Leonard, whose mother is Argentinian, put her Latin side and sultry voice to use in songs by Garcia Lorca, Falla and Monstalvatge. She relished every phrase, and Isbin’s sensitive accompaniment was equally penetrating. The highlight was Falla’s Siete canciones populares españolas, which Leonard has sung often with piano or orchestra. The range, variety and personality she invested in the songs was stunning, from the most delicate lullaby (“Nana”) to the fiery flamenco-tinged finale (“Polo”) . . . Most memorable, for me, was Rodrigo’s Aranjuez, ma pensée, a wistful poem by the composer’s wife (in French) set to the Adagio from his familiar guitar concerto. The interplay of Leonard’s dark, creamy sound and Isbin’s immersive knowledge of the piece’s twists and turns was mesmerizing.”
Harvey Steiman – Seen and Heard International