A Schumann rarity at the Oxford Lieder Festival

By Roy Westbrook, 27 October 2016

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“the exquisite opening song Im der Fremde (In a Foreign Land) was given at a daringly broad speed”

Reviewed at Holywell Music Room, Oxford on 26 October 2016

Schumann, The Pilgrimage of the Rose (Der Rose Pilgerfahrt), Op.112

Schumann, Liederkreis, Op.39

Works by Bennett

Schumann, Sechs Gesänge, Op.107

Christina Gansch, Soprano

Bethan Langford, Mezzo-soprano

Ben Johnson, Tenor

Mark Stone, Baritone

Robert Holl, Bass

Sholto Kynoch, Piano

Bryony Williams, Soprano

John Mark Ainsley, Tenor

David Owen Norris, Piano

Dame Felicity Lott, Soprano

Eugene Asti, Piano

Perth Festival’s Russian Soul: The Story of Rachmaninov in Song

David Smythe, 27th May

Russian soprano Ilona Domnich, pianist Sholto Kynoch and enthusiast Michael White in a programme of songs and speech reflecting Rachmaninov’s colourful life.

****1

Henschel and Kynoch deliver a haunting Winterreise at Oxford Lieder

Mark Valencia, 27th February

Oxford Lieder's theme may be 'Winter into Spring', but in Schubert’s Winterreise, snow lies deep throughout with nary a glimpse of warmer prospects.

****1

In the footsteps of Hafez: exploring Persian poetry at Oxford Lieder

Mark Pullinger, 11th October

A deep-dive into the world of 14th-century Persian poet, Hafez, and his influence on song across the centuries.

****1

Dangerous Liaisons and Magic Horns close Oxford Lieder

Mark Pullinger, 26th October

The final day of Oxford Lieder's 80-event festival was framed by two recitals taking us from the world of German folklore andDes Knaben Wunderhorn, to the pain and drama of romantic entanglements.

****1

A Russian journey of the spirit at King's Place

John Johnston, 12th May

Joan Rodger's idiomatic soprano and the surging cello obbligato were revelatory in this symbolist paean.

****1

Franz Schubert in 1824

Emily Owen, 4th October

Players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment play Schubert's Octet in F major alongside Lieder from 1824 sung by Roderick Williams, Mary Bevan, Robert Murray and Rozanna Madylus, accompanied by Sholto Kynoch.

***11

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Three recitals, two Op.39s, and a Schumann rarity at the Oxford Lieder Festival