On Saturday 1 November Claire Barnett-Jones (mezzo soprano) is joined by acclaimed pianist Rebecca Cohen for a recital inspired by the unique voice of Alma Mahler at the Menuhin Room. Rebecca tells us what she’s looking forward to.
What are you looking most forward to when performing at this concert?
We’re most looking forward to exploring and sharing Alma Mahler’s world — her music and the works of those who inspired and surrounded her.
Alma was a central figure in the Viennese cultural scene and for many years, was known mainly as Gustav Mahler’s wife or as the muse of great men, but her songs reveal that she was also a deeply expressive composer in her own right. Each song feels like a glimpse into a creative conversation between composers who shared both personal and musical connections.
We’ve been performing together as a duo for a number of years now and it’s always a joy to bring a new programme to life. Many of these songs are technically demanding and musically intricate — they keep us on our toes (!), but are always rewarding to perform.
Why should the audience come?
Lieder (German Art Song) concerts offer something uniquely intimate — a conversation between poetry and music, voice and piano, performer and listener. The piano doesn’t just accompany but helps tell the story and express the emotions of the poem. Each song is a miniature world, a distilled story, and this concert offers a rare opportunity to hear Alma Mahler’s songs alongside the works of those that surrounded her including Zemlinsky, Korngold, Strauss, Berg and Gustav Mahler- people who both influenced and were influenced by her at the turn of the 20th century. If you tuned into BBC Cardiff Singer of the World during the pandemic, you will have heard Claire perform Gustav Mahler – this repertoire is a natural fit for her voice.
What can they expect to experience?
The audience can expect an intimate lunchtime concert full of emotion and storytelling. This programme weaves together themes of love and longing, nature and reflection, the passage of life, and artistic influence and collaboration. It combines songs and a spoken element that illuminates the composers’ relationships and inspirations, and makes the event more personal and immersive. You’ll hear a mix of rare gems alongside some of the more well-known songs.
Read more about Rebecca.
Read a review.
Image (c) Gerard Demattio
