A Genesis Young Singers Project

St.John's, Smith Square, London

Many of Schumann's songs are rarely performed on the concert platform and this series was devised by Artistic Director Eugene Asti as a unique opportunity to hear some of Schumann's lesser-known songs alongside all the famous song cycles.

Schumann's songs span the range of human emotion and experience from the tender expression of the bride in Frauenliebe und-leben, to the romantic Myrthen (a wedding present for his beloved wife, Clara) and the intriguing yet unsettling atmosphere of Liederkreis, op.39.

The concerts were able to bring together many well-loved and internationally acclaimed singers including Dame Felicity Lott, Sarah Connolly (Lucretia in the Aldeburgh/ENO 'Rape of Lucretia'), Susan Gritton (Marenka in 'The Bartered Bride' at Royal Opera House), Sophie Daneman, Mark Padmore and Stephan Loges as well as many young singers already establishing themselves on the recital and opera platforms.

Eugene Asti, who devised this series, is a regular performer at St John's and one of Britain's leading accompanists.

To add further insight into Schumann's life and work he invited the internationally renowned Florestan Trio, whose recordings of Schumann's chamber music for Hyperion have received great critical acclaim, to perform Schumann's Piano Trios as well as the Trio by Clara Schumann, the inspiration behind all of Robert Schumann's songs. As expected the Florestan concerts were exceptionally exciting and inspired.

In the final concert of the series Eugene Asti invited the participation of Graham Johnson on the piano alongside him, and a quartet of singers for an evening of Schumann's vocal chamber music with piano - wonderful repertoire that is seldom heard.

Pre-concert talks, given before selected concerts at 6.30pm by the song expert, Richard Stokes, were enthusiastically received. Richard's informal approach and careful research provided a valuable insight into the repertoire and mind of the composer.