Obra: Die Sternennächte (Mayrhofer), D.670

It was by coincidence that Tuesday’s Oxford Lieder Festival concert fell on Johann Mayrhofer’s 226th birthday. The Austrian poet was second only to Goethe in the number of texts chosen by Schubert, and the programme was a selection of the composer’s settings from 1817-1824. The lieder chosen for the recital fell under two themes: songs based upon classical myth, and those inspired by nature.

The first of three recitals celebrating the German baritone Matthias Goerne took place at Wigmore Hall this past Wednesday. Goerne is a favorite of the Hall, having received the Wigmore Hall medal in 2011.