Brahms Liebesliederwalzer
Fri Dec 11, 19:30 - Fri Dec 11, 21:00
German International School, Konrad Taeuber Hall
ABOUT
The Cape Consort and Musica Mundi concert series present the
Brahms Liebesliederwalzer & Neues Liebesliederwalzer
German International School, Konrad Taeuber Hall
28 Bayview Road Tamboerskloof
Friday 11 December 19h30
The Cape Consort ventures outside the Baroque, into the early Romantic era with this, their first live concert since before lockdown. Although the presentation is outside of what is commonly known as “early music” there remains an important focus on historical performance practice as the newly renovated 1840-model Broadwood piano will lend a very characteristic 19th Century warmth and clarity to the performance. First performed 150 years ago, the Liebesliederwalzer opus 52 by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) were originally intended for informal home performance, but the “ad libitum” scoring allows for many different sized ensembles. In writing these love-song waltzes, Brahms was influenced by Franz Schubert’s Ländler and the waltzes of Johann Strauss. The expressive and characterful Neues Liebesliederwalzer Op. 65 were composed a few years later and exemplify Brahms’ mature composition style. Opus 65 ends with a passacaglia movement (a 17th century form) in 9/4 time, giving tribute to music and the muses. Also featured on the program will be a short selection of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances for piano 4-hands.
Albie van Schalkwyk and Alex Gabriel provide the four hands at the Broadwood piano and the vocal quartet comprises: Antoinette Huyssen – soprano, Christine Bam – mezzo-soprano, Nathan Lewis – tenor and Charles Ainslie – bass-baritone.