Music Network presents Tre Voci: Natalie Clein (cello), Julius Drake (piano) and Claire Booth (soprano), 29th November – 1st December
“Astonishing range of colours and... wide variety of expressive styles” – Gramophone Magazine [on Clein]
“[He] delivered an outstanding performance at the piano” – The New York Times [on Drake]
“…a warm, silvery voice, crystalline passagework and a delectably flutey top...” – The Times [on Booth]
“A golden timbre and fleet elegance…this is as close as you'll get to musical champagne” – BBC Music Magazine [on Clein]
“Julius Drake’s exquisite piano accompaniment was a constant joy in a performance which, characteristically, always did more than support, yet somehow never overwhelmed or eclipsed, his fellow musicians.” – Bachtrack
“The clear, cool soprano of Claire Booth curled around the words and music, fusing them into something eloquent, poignant and touching”– Chicago Tribune [on Booth]
Music Network’s Autumn season concludes with a trinity of concerts exploring three wonderfully expressive instruments by the illustrious Natalie Clein (cello), Julius Drake (piano) and Claire Booth (soprano). This consummate trio have come together to curate an intriguing programme that explores themes of nature, separated lovers, grief and spirituality through works by Zoltán Kodály, J.S. Bach, John Cage, John Tavener, Johannes Brahms, Deborah Pritchard, Leoš Janácek and Franz Schubert. It’s oft said that the cello is close to the human voice, and Clein’s cello quite literally “sings”, matched by the delicacy and lyricism of pianist Julius Drake and the soaring tones of soprano Claire Booth. Join them from Thursday 29th November to Saturday 1st December in Dublin, Wexford and Sligo. Details at musicnetwork.ie.
Renowned for an extraordinary breadth of repertoire, Booth’s operatic highlights include Elcia in Rossini’s Mose in Egitto, Elle in Poulenc's Voix Humaine and Rosina in The Barber of Seville. Clein is a sought-after chamber performer who has featured as a soloist with such orchestras as the Philharmonia, Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony, and Montreal Symphony, while pianist Drake enjoys an international reputation as one of the finest instrumentalists in his field, appearing regularly at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw and Wigmore Hall.
Prepare to be captivated by this very special trio's dynamic energy and strong sense of narrative!
Programme
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Sonatina
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
“Öffne dich, mein ganzes Herze”
from Cantata BWV 61
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
arr. Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Five Spiritual Songs (Geistliche Lieder), a selection
1. Gedenke doch, mein Geist; 3. Liebster Herr Jesu; 5. Bist du bei mir; 4. Komm, süsser Tod
John Cage (1912-1992)
The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs
John Tavener (1944-2013)
Threnos (Lament)
John Tavener (1944-2013)
Akhmatova songs, a selection
3. Boris Pasternak; 4. Couplet; 1. Dante
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91
1. Gestillte Sehnsucht
2. Geistliches Wiegenlied
Deborah Pritchard (b.1977)
Storm Song
(Text by Jeanette Winterson)
Leoš Janácek (1854-1928)
Pohádka (Fairy Tale)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Auf dem Strom, D. 943
Music Network is funded by the Arts Council. Music Network's Autumn season is supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts. Tour details at www.musicnetwork.ie.