Various venues, Oxford; Royal Festival Hall, London
Absolutely nothing is off-limits as Oxford’s fearless festival of song hits 20. And Steve Reich at 85 explores the road less travelled
If you have a concept of Lieder – the German for “songs”, though the two words have never quite felt interchangeable – it may be shaped by images of trees, brooks and lonely travellers: all real and heartfelt, especially in the hands of Schubert or Schumann or Brahms, who encapsulate the central issues of life in poetic miniature. You might not expect Lieder to embrace topics such as cystitis, vaccines or getting your head stuck in a too-small dress in a changing room. It can, and does. Tonight the Oxford Lieder festival (OLF) reaches the end of its 20th anniversary fortnight. During the years of its existence, Sholto Kynoch, pianist, founder and artistic director, has explored the wilder horizons of song, perhaps to his own surprise as much as anyone else’s. Lieder, if you let them, can enfold everything in their grasp.
The clever aspect of this festival is that it has kept traditional repertoire at the heart, so you’ll always find Schubert. But OLF has taken seriously its duty – and pleasure – to support living composers, with 20 commissions or premieres this year. Song Futures, featuring rising stars and contemporary works, is one of several strands. This late-night series would satisfy most of us as an event in itself. The mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston and baritone Michael Craddock, with pianist Alexander Soares, sang Isolation Songbook, a lockdown collection on everything from the singers’ Covid-postponed wedding day to a burnt cake.
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