Widmung - A Dedication

In 1840 Schumann wrote: 'What bliss it is to write for the human voice'.

Many of Schumann's songs are rarely performed on the concert platform and this series provides a unique opportunity to hear some of his 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 bring together many well-loved and internationally acclaimed singers including Dame Felicity Lott, Sarah Connolly (Lucretia in the recently televised 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.

The series has been devised by Eugene Asti, 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 has 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, who was the inspiration behind all of Robert Schumann's songs.

In the final concert of the series Eugene Asti is joined by Graham Johnson and a quartet of singers in an evening of Schumann's vocal chamber music with piano - wonderful repertoire which is seldom heard.

Pre-concert talks will be given before selected concerts at 6.30pm by the song expert, Richard Stokes, whose enthusiastic and informal approach will give a valuable insight into the repertoire and mind of the composer. Master-classes on selected works will also be held. Please telephone Box Office for details.

A Genesis Young Singers Project at St John's, Smith Square, London

The commitment of the Genesis Foundation is to spring-board emerging talents. It is giving substantial support to this Schumann series particularly because of the involvement of so many young professionals in the performances.

Genesis hopes also that this series will help create awareness of a legacy of music that needs wider currency not only in its own right but because of its seminal influence on subsequent composers in the world of lieder and chamber music such as Brahms, Strauss, Mahler and Wolf.