Sofia GUBAIDULINA: ‘...The Deceitful Face of Hope and of Despair’ (2005)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Mario Venzago

Sally BEAMISH: ‘Callisto’, Flute Concerto (2005)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins

Mari TAKANO: Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra (2004–06)
Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Anne Manson

Sharon Bezaly, flute

• Sharon Bezaly has been recognized not only for her superb gifts as a musician, but also for her commitment to her instrument and its repertoire. She has inspired numerous composers to compose directly for her, and makes it a priority to perform these works all over the world, as well as recording them. To date no less than 15 flute concertos have been dedicated to her, and on Spellbound three of these are gathered.

• On Spellbound, Sharon Bezaly interprets works by three female composers: Sofia Gubaidulina, Sally Beamish and Mari Takano. All three concertos were dedicated to Sharon Bezaly and the result is a triptych of three highly personal pieces joined together by the spellbinding artistry of the flautist.

• The disc is a companion piece to the 2005 disc Nordic Spell, on which concertos by three Scandinavian composers (Kalevi Aho, Christian Lindberg and Haukur Tómasson) were brought together. That disc received a number of prestigious distinctions, including a MIDEM Classical Award and an Editor's Choice in Gramophone. Bezaly’s performances earned her top marks in various international magazines, for instance in Fanfare, whose reviewer wrote: ‘It is plain to hear why the composers were so inspired by her artistry, and also why BIS is making a significant commitment of recording her: this is the most technically assured, breathtakingly brilliant flute-playing around.’