Spring the Sweet Spring

Shake off the winter blues with a little spring sunshine

Whatever the theme, Schubert will always supply the starting point: sorrow, tears, laughter, betrayal, death, they are all there in his 600+ songs. So we start the concert with Seligkeit, translated as eternal bliss, joy, perfect happiness. The bubbly piano opening sets the mood and there is not a cloud to be seen. Quite a contrast with this song by Schumann, who lived within sight of the mighty River Rhine, and would have grown up with the legend of the Loreley, the maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck their boats as they were bewitched by her song.

Two romantic songs by Fauré take us to moonlit, perfumed gardens and the concert ends with Englishness from John Ireland and Roger Quilter, blossom, roses and love.

Performers

Elizabeth Charlesworth (soprano) and Hugh Finnigan (piano)

Programme

• Schubert (1797-1828): Seligkeit; Im Fruhling; Haidenröslein; An die Musik; Ganymed
• Schumann (1810-1856): Waldesgespräch
• Brahms (1833-1897): Sapphische Ode
• Fauré (1845-1924): Clair de lune; Les roses d’Ispahan
• Ireland (1879-1962): Dream Pedlary ; Spring Sorrow
• Quilter (1877-1953): The Spring is at the Door; Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal; Love’s Philosophy