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Roderick Williams in recital

,Milton Court Concert Hall
Roddy Williams singing on stage

A woman’s life and love? For Milton Court Artist-in-Residence Roderick Williams, Schumann’s great song cycle opens up some remarkably modern perspectives on identity and the human heart.

‘The joy is the love, the love is the joy’ declares the (supposedly) female narrator of Frauenliebe und-leben. ‘I have said it, and won't take it back!’ And since human emotion acknowledges no gender, Williams has assembled an entire recital that explores the limitlessly fluid ways in which two souls can merge.

It’s an inspired idea for a song recital: since every song is itself an encounter of words and music, singer and pianist – each enriched by the other. Brahms is a natural complement to Schumann, but songs by Sally Beamish, Herbert Howells and Rhian Samuel all offer an utterly distinctive perspective.  For Roderick Williams, though, it’s simply about communication: ‘I’d love audiences to think, “What an amazing juxtaposition of music and poetry this is”.’

Tagged with: Classical music Milton Court International soloists multibuy 2018–19 More...

Programme

  • Brahms   An die Nachtigall, Op 46 No 4
  •   Mädchenlied, Op 107 No 5
  •   Das Mädchen, Op 95 No 1
  • Clara Schumann   Liebst du um Schönheit, Op 12 No 2
  • Brahms   Das Mädchen spricht, Op 107 No 3
  •   Salamander, Op 107 No 2
  •   Nachtigall, Op 97 No 1
  • Howells   King David
  •   The Widow Bird, Op 22 No 3
  •   Girls Song, Op 22 No 4
  • Sally Beamish   Four Songs from Hafez
  • Rhian Samuel   Summer Songs*
  • Robert Schumann   Frauenliebe und leben, Op 42

*Unfortunately the premiere of Ryan Wigglesworth's new work has had to be postponed. Roderick Williams will instead be performing Rhian Samuel's Summer Songs.

Performers

  • Roderick Williams   baritone
  • Andrew West   piano

Discover

architecture detail of the barbican hall

Composer Focus – Episode 2: Benjamin Britten with Roderick Williams

In episode two, host Ed Seckerson is joined by baritone and composer Roderick Williams to discuss Benjamin Britten, a complex and often contradictory character, and one of the 20th century’s greatest opera composers.

an orchestra playing classical music in the barbican hall in central london

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available

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