Social DistanSong Day Seven: Robin Tritschler & Graham Johnson

Remember that you can find texts and translations of all the songs that were due to be performed today in the 'Explore' section on the main menu above, or by going to the original event listing and clicking on the Programme tab.

Graham Johnson discusses the connections between Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte and Schubert's Schwanengesang:

[youtube url=https://youtu.be/GkMIn0wzPyk]

Robin Tritschler chats with Katy Hamilton:

[youtube url=https://youtu.be/60j06QPWx4E]

Robin's recital playlist, with listening notes:

Click here for the Spotify Playlist (you'll need to be a Spotify user to listen to this).

Robin writes: 'I put together this playlist so you can sit at home and enjoy the recital of songs Graham and I were to perform in Oxford today. I chose these recordings for an aspect of them which I found useful or impressive, and not necessarily for the entire performance. For this exercise I have not included my own or Graham’s recordings…..hopefully you will come and hear us live in Oxford soon. No record can truly capture the exhilaration of being at the concert hall and hearing a live performance, but I hope you enjoy this amazing music as much as I do nonetheless.'

Beethoven

An die ferne Geliebte

      Peter Schreier, tenor, & Walter Oblertz, piano

        Schreier gives a reliable and I think beautiful interpretation, however I always enjoy his attention to the small details. Listen to how he deals with every syllable of the word, especially the endings, and how his extracts as much as he can from the short notes. You can also hear the Schreier Special (his description, not mine); it happens when he changes tone mid note. This can subtly alter the emotion without changing the musical phrase.

Schubert & Mayrhofer  

Der Alpenjäger D524

     Stephan Genz, baritone, & Hartmut Höll, piano

    There is wonderful energy captured in this performance. I like to add a sense of panic at the end, the young hunter is not as brave as he thinks.

Fahrt zum Hades D526

     Robert Holl, bass baritone, & David Lutz, piano

    Grace Bumbry, mezzo, & Sebastian Peschko, piano

        I am listening for how the singer deals with the wide range of this song. Both singers are excellent examples of how to darken the colour to the voice without adding weight, thus enabling them to approach the higher passages with ease.

Philoktet D540

    Mattias Goerne, baritone, & Ingo Metzmacher, piano

    This is a fantastic performance, and utterly believable. I list it here to show that there is no one right way to sing a song as I interpret this song in an entirely different way, choosing instead to highlight the starvation and desperation rather than the combative nature of Philoctetes who is left alone on the island with no way of catching food.

Memnon D541

    Janet Baker, mezzo, & Geoffrey Parsons, piano

    Baker’s tone is incredible in this song. You can almost hear excess air escaping (it isn’t) mimicking the wind whistling through the cracks in the statue. I wish I could do something half as effective. She also beautifully crafts the devastating isolation, which is not easy to do with the tempo they choose.

Orest auf Tauris D541

    Robert Holl & David Lutz, piano

    The phrasing of the two opening questions is delightfully managed. I want to hear whether an answer or resolution is reached.

Atys D585

    Peter Pears, tenor, & Benjamin Britten, piano

    This recording was so striking to me that I actually remember where I was when I first heard it; waiting for a flight to London in Düsseldorf airport. Britten achieves a remarkable atmosphere from the piano, and Schubert’s longest postlude is treated magnificently. Meanwhile Pears seems completely unrestrained by rhythm, the words are as long or short as he needs them to be to share the young man’s heartbreak. Fabulous.

For a completely different interpretation and sound, listen to Elly Amyling’s performance.

Nachtstück D672

    Sarah Walker, mezzo, & Roger Vignoles, piano

    I marvel at the amazing legato Walker displays here. Roger helps this by allowing the accompaniment ebb and flow. Sarah always gives priority to the voice, then adds the text in a poetic way. Wonderful singing.

If I could have found Philip Langridge’s recording on Spotify I would include it too. I have it on disc. It is another recording that stopped me in my tracks when I heard it. His portrayal of the old man bravely facing Death is breathtaking. [You can find the recording, with Graham Johnson, here.]

Der entsühnte Orest D681

    Wolfgang Holzmair, baritone, & Gérard Wyss

    There is a wonderful directness here which is very difficult to capture in a convincing way. Orest is a proud old King. Holzmair manages to sustain the direct and strong approach until the final few bars when Orest pleads with Diana.

Der zürnende Diana D707

    Heinrich Schlusnus, baritone & Sebastian Peschko, piano

    This is a very difficult song, and at over 5 minutes long, one which could easily overwhelm any singer during a performance. The range is wide, and long phrases linger in the high register. This performance is a masterclass in how to manage the voice through such obstacles, and making sure you have something left for the climaxes. 

Abendstern D806

    Christian Gerhaher, baritone, & Gerold Huber, piano

    Janet Baker & Gerald Moore

    Listen out for any note that sounds ‘high’ in Gerhaher’s recording. Spoiler: You won’t find one. For a more emotional and dramatic interpretation, try Dame Janet.

Auflösung D807

    Jessye Norman, soprano, & Philip Moll, piano

    Their interpretation of this song would not recognise mine, but there is something admirable and thrilling in the commanding spirit and the fearless singing. There are lots of very clever things happening so the voice does not tire on the repeated high notes, leaving reserves toward the end to join the highest ethereal choirs.

Schubert & Rellstab

    I do not need a recording to remind me of how these Schubert songs should be sung. Rooted in my brain is the memory of Robert Holl’s performance with András Schiff on 13th Oct 2018. It was a staggering display which moved me to tears throughout. The voice was not always at its best, but the artistry was impeccable. It takes a lifetime of study and experience to be able to paint the text as Holl did, and I cannot over state the emotional impact his voice had on the audience that afternoon. 

For now, listen to this: Robert Holl & David Lutz

    The majesty of Robert Holl shines through here. For our recital Graham included only the Rellstab settings of Schwanengesang, but once you start this recording, Holl will demand you, and you will want to, hear the Heine songs too.