Let me begin at the end, for at the conclusion of the concert, in Five Viennese Operetta Songs, soprano Barbara Bonney displayed her supreme musicality, radiant soprano voice and power of presentation.
From the sparkling vitality of Ich bin die Christel by Carl Zeller to the beautiful melodies of Franz Lehar, Miss Bonney proved her reputation as one of the world's leading exponents of Viennese song.
Earlier, we heard Schubert lieder from the song cycles Winterreise, Schwanenge-sang, Die Schone Mullerin and settings by Wolf and Liszt of poems by Schiller, Goethe and Heine.
Each composer's genius for complimenting the texts of these great poets is something that should be transmitted in performance.
Barbara Bonney's clarity of voice, word-painting skill and instinctive command of rhythm, communicated the ache of unrequited love.
Especially notable in the Schubert group were In der Ferne and Der Lindenbaum. I felt though, that some of the Schubert and Liszt lieder, albeit beautifully sung, lacked sufficient vocal colour and latent passionate emotion.
Like Schubert before him, Hugo Wolf condensed the dramatic intensity of opera into song form.
In the Mignon Lieder (1888) Miss Bonney's interpretation showed a profound sensitivity to the poetic value embodied in each song.
Throughout one sensed an intuitive dialogue between pianist and singer, particularly in the Wolf lieder where the radical harmonies suggested almost symphonic proportions.
The piano's contribution is pivotal and Malcolm Mart-ineau showed himself to be technically and musically of the highest order.
The concert was part of the Malvern International Lieder Series.
Peter Smith
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