Second Among Equals

Presented in association with the International Lied Festival Zeist

Don’t call them accompanists: every singer, and every lover of lieder, knows that the pianist is an equal artistic partner – supporting the singer, for sure, but painting colours, shaping forms, and playing a vital role in turning a song into a fully-realised performance. Katy Hamilton hosts this day-long exploration of “the piano part”, featuring Oxford Song artistic director Sholto Kynoch and young artists from our partners in Zeist, in the Netherlands – in discussion, and also in performance. Naturally, the audience plays a vital role too: come prepared to share your own thoughts and responses to this (literally) unsung, but essential element of the art of classical song.