Peter Brathwaite, baritone (Marco Borggreve)
*this event comprises of two separate identical concerts starting at 3pm & 7pm*
the performers:
Roderick Williams (baritone) + Peter Brathwaite (baritone) + Keval Shah (piano)
the programme:
Schubert Winterreise
about the music:
Winterreise - or ‘Winter’s Journey’ - is a truly epic piece. A musical setting of 24 poems by German lyric poet Wilhelm Müller, it’s not your typical joyous Christmas sing-a-long.
Winterreise traces a lonely traveller’s agonising mission to escape the pain of a failed relationship. As the piece progresses, the protagonist heads further and further into a snowy winter wilderness, along the way experiencing a number of different emotions, ranging from bleak to… really bleak.
It’s nearly 200 years since Schubert finished Winterreise, but the character couldn’t be more poignant today. Many of the piece’s themes of isolation, escapism and wistfulness have never been more pertinent to our world than now in 2020. We think this concert is unmissable.
The cycle of 24 songs starts with Gute Nacht (Good Night). It depicts our traveller venturing out into the snow, starting their journey as they leave their lover.
Listen to how the accompanying piano in the recording above also paints a picture of the scene - the relentless short notes imitate the trudging footsteps of the traveller.
The journey continues with lots of references to snow, ice, loneliness and tears. Although none of the songs are wholly positive, there are elements which are in the major key as the traveller dreams of spring and remembers the letters their lover used to send.
The final song, Der Leiermann (The Hurdy Gurdy man), depicts the traveller’s despair and the complete deterioration of their mental health.
Again, the piano adds the imagery of the poems through clever effects - Schubert thought of the pianist as an equal role to that of the singer - here, the left hand plays a drone to imitate a hurdy-gurdy whilst a bleak melody repeats over the top.
about the performers:
This concert includes one of Britain’s most sought-after and prolific bass-baritones, Roderick Williams. From playing lead roles at many of the world’s top opera houses to featuring as the soloist at the Last Night of the Proms, Williams is one not to miss.
He’s joined by Peter Brathwaite (baritone) + Keval Shah (piano), who are both Momentum artists. Created earlier this year, Momentum supports young, high quality, professional musicians in the first substantial phase of their career, offering them mainstage performance opportunities.
the venue:
St John’s Smith Square is an amazing space, occupying the centre of Smith Square, Westminster. Starting life as a church, it was firebombed during the second world war and sold as a ruin to a charitable trust who have run it as a concert hall ever since. It’s an incredible venue, and only a short walk from the centre of Westminster.
The venue has a great Young Friends programme. Under 30s are able to become a member for free and grab £5 tickets to selected concerts. Once you’ve signed up they’ll send you an email with a discount code you can enter at the checkout. Find out how to sign up here.
the price:
£30 (£5 under 30s)