Songs of the Young: Sophie Daneman, Mark Stone & Sholto Kynoch

A concert for adults and children alike: a sparkling world premiere by Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Schumann’s songs for the young

Schumann wrote his Liederalbum für die Jugend (‘Song Album for the Young’) in 1849, the same year he and his family fled Dresden in the midst of revolution. While it may seem surprising that he would write songs for children under such circumstances, it was noted by Clara Schumann and others that he retreated further into his music and that many pieces of the time had a levity that was perhaps a sort of counter-weight to the turmoil around him. Today’s concert begins with a selection of these enchanting songs, with a directness of storytelling that is alluring to both children and adults.

We are thrilled to present the world-premiere of The Thought Machine, a specially-commissioned song cycle by leading composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, setting texts from Moon Juice, a new collection of children’s poetry by Kate Wakeling. Described as a ‘remarkable talent’ (The Times), Frances-Hoad has created an exhilarating sequence of songs that – like Schumann’s songs – are accessible and attractive to all. Mysterious machines and whirling comets, Rita the Pirate and the Hamster Man are all brought to life in brilliantly vivid and inventive music and words.

Oxford Lieder’s Artistic Director, Sholto Kynoch, is joined by two leading singers; Sophie Daneman and Mark Stone, both well known to Oxford Lieder audiences as well as on major stages the world over.

'Frances-Hoad's new work had vision and radiance' (The Guardian)
‘...sometimes impassioned, sometimes mercurial, always compelling in its authority’ (The Spectator)

'A poet to watch, her work an April rainbow of freshness and surprise' (The Guardian)

An extract from Moon Juice, published in September 2016 by The Emma Press (yes, Skig the Warrior makes an appearance in The Thought Machine):

Why not purchase a Lunchtime Pass? This pass gives access to all ten lunchtime recitals, weekdays at 1:10pm, for £100. The price includes a discount and provides access to popular recitals which have sold out, such as Roderick Williams on Monday the 24^th of October and Dame Felicity Lott on Wednesday the 26^th. Click here to purchase.