Programme
Wednesday
13 September 2023
19:00: Swan Songs - Works by Schubert and Strauss
Welgemeend Concert Hall
Paulina Malefane | Soprano
Konstantin Ingenpaß | Baritone
Esthea Kruger | Piano
The first concert of Neues Lied is bound to take the audience on a profound musical journey with two timeless masterpieces – Schubert’s Schwanengesang and Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder. The fourteen songs published posthumously as Schubert’s Schwanengesang were written in the composer’s miraculously productive final few months, and are exceptionally wide-ranging in emotional content and atmosphere. Strauss’ sublime Vier letzte Lieder, a poignant contemplation on life and death, are likewise considered the composer’s most significant final statement. Written for soprano and orchestra, it is heard here in the version for soprano and piano. The concert features Konstantin Ingenpaß, Paulina Malefane and Esthea Kruger.
Programme:
Schubert Schwanengesang
Strauss Vier letzte Lieder
Friday
15 September 2023
10:00: First Round - 2nd NEUES LIED Competition for Art Song Duos
Baxter Concert Hall
Singers and pianists from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University
FREE ENTRY
Friday
15 September 2023
19:00: Of Cowboys and French Cuisine - Songs on unusual texts
6 Spin Street
Silke Evers | Soprano
Violina Anguelov-Hobbs, Minette du Toit-Pearce | Mezzo-Soprano
Konstantin Ingenpaß | Baritone
Esthea Kruger, Albie van Schalkwyk | Piano
The second concert of Neues Lied is inspired by unusual texts – most of which were never intended to be set to music! The concert includes cycles such as Bernstein’s La bonne cuisine on recipes from a French cookbook, Larsen’s Cowboy Songs on cowboy/girl poetry, Barber’s Hermit Songs on the scribbles of medieval monks, and Argento’s hilarious Miss Manners on Music on Judith Martin’s witty advice column. From humorous to touching, these delightful musical settings cast a different light on the world of song.
Programme:
Larsen Cowboy Songs
Argento Miss Manners on Music
Bernstein La bonne cuisine
Bolcom Cabaret Songs
Barber Hermit Songs
Smith Ellis Island
Copland Old American Songs
Saturday
16 September 2023
11:00: Songs of Yearning - Vocal Chamber Music by Chausson, Respighi, Rorem, Bridge and More
Baxter Concert Hall
Silke Evers | Soprano
Konstantin Ingenpaß | Baritone
Farida Bacharova | Violin
Azra Isaacs | Viola
Graham du Plessis | Cello
Juliet String Quartet
Esthea Kruger | Piano
Audience members are invited to a magical sound world in this concert, where singers perform with several different chamber music formations, showcasing art song in a completely different guise from the standard voice-and-piano combination. The programme features diverse works by Chausson, Respighi, Rorem and Bridge, as well as the premiere of the work commissioned by the festival, composed by Adrian More.
Chausson Chanson perpétuelle
Ullmann Drei Lieder
Bridge Three Songs
Respighi Il tramonto
Rorem Santa Fe Songs
More Songs of Yearning
Saturday
16 September 2023
19:00: Final Round - 2nd NEUES LIED Competition for Art Song Duos
Baxter Concert Hall
Singers and pianists from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University
The NEUES LIED Competition for Art Song Duos was established in 2022. This year marks the second installment of the competition, which again invited young singers and pianists from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University to showcase their talent with a programme of several art songs in various languages. The final round will see the very best of these duos compete for R34 000 of prize money, sponsored by the Rupert Music Foundation. The programme – which will be announced shortly before the final round – is bound to encompass a wonderful variety of art songs.