The Oxford Lieder Festival 2012

Lieder and songs sung by amateurs, Hollywell Music Room, Saturday 28 October 2012

What a lovely concert that was today: a series of lieder and songs (in French, English and Italian) sung by amateur singers. To add to the pleasure it was a free concert, part of the 2012 Oxford Lieder Festival.

The word "amateur" as Tom Cox, the organiser explained, comes from the Latin (later Italian and Old French) meaning "to love" and indeed you could hear a lot of love today. There were singers of various quality and ages, but this added to the charm somehow. I have to say I really did enjoy all the French songs, so often so beautifully pronounced by the British, so it was great to hear "Nuit d'étoiles" (Claude Debussy) and "Les chemins de l'amour" (Poulenc) nicely performed by Alison Thorman, or "La Habanera" from Carmen's Bizet sung with attitude by Antonida Kocharova. But there were also songs in English by Vaughan-Williams sung by Tom Cox or... I do not remember nor the name of the singer nor the name of the songs, but one of them was based on a Yates poem, oh yes the Cloths of Heaven by Dunhill (thank you Google and wikipedia!) I really liked that too, the energy coming out of that singer. There were Lieder also, several Schubert, one particularly stricking, sung by Gillian Beattie who has got this very beautiful dark soprano timbre. But my favourite of all favourites was the young Joanna Peskett who rendered "du meine Seele" by Schumann absolutely beautifully: a light soprano with an impecable technique and pronounciation. I am not sure what Joanna is planning to do in the future, but she could surely consider becoming a singer!

Most singers were accompanied by Nick Priston, a second year undergraduate who had the kindness to replace another pianist at the last minute.

So a very nice pleasant beginning of the weekend. I very much hope that there will be a concert of the sort next year for the forthcoming Oxford Lieder Festival and very much hope more publicity will be done, as it was really worth it!

Lucile Deslignères (DI User), 28/10/12

What a delightful time we had at When Yesterday We Met, in the Holywell Music Room. This was an imaginative programme of beautifully performed lieder. It was energetic, often funny, and a delight for all ages. All of the accomplished participants are to be congratulated.

frazipan (Unverified), 14/10/12