 |
 |
|
 |
||
|
Schubert through the Seasons In my last vocal recital review I celebrated the pleasures of tension and risk. Those delights were absent from Christine Schäfer's latest recital with Graham Johnson, offering many less familiar Schubert songs grouped in a seasonal frame. Schäfer was in perfect voice from the very first notes and her poise and vocal control never wavered. There was complete unanimity of timing and interpretative intention, and one did not feel that either artist was over-egging point-making or 'driving' the other. It was being recorded for radio, which did not phase these experienced recording artists in the least, and the recital, before a commendably silent audience, could (I'd say should) be released on CD without any editing. As Hyperion collectors all know, Graham Johnson's analytic notes song by song are features of his recordings and are generously provided too in Wigmore Hall recital programme books. Following the words, one enjoyed making acquaintance with some lesser poets and uncharacteristic moods, e.g. Klopstock sad in summer. Schäfer doesn't over-emote, but nor does she gloss over meaning and articulation of words. Johnson, celebrating 30 years as a leading lieder-pianist, points the scores, which he has studied to the last mark on Schubert's manuscripts, but without seeking the limelight. Finishing her two-hour programme with Goethe's haunting conjuration of a departed lover Nähe des Geliebten (as great a love song as Gretchen am Spinnrade, says Johnson) I stayed for just one encore, which created a still and uneasily becalmed at sea atmosphere - nothing is harder. The audience was greedy to demand more. There is a surprisingly hostile review of this recital to read in The Guardian, with complaining that she is 'too cool'; my own more generous reactions to her lieder singing are well reflected by Gramophone; try to decide for yourself by switching onto BBC R3 7 August to hear this recital, or during the following week at Listen Again. |
