Concerts at the Crossroads @ Christ Episcopal Church 11/22 Christ Episcopal Church embarked on an ambitious recital series this fall, presenting the larger Lieder series of Robert Schumann. With two soloists, Amy Christina Hall, soprano and JR Fralick, tenor, accompanied by Nathan Carterette at the piano, they presented one solo recital each, and this past Saturday, a joint effort with a duet for an encore.

One of the composer’s favorite poets was Heinrich Heine, with several of his poems being set to music in the Liederkreis Op. 24, sometimes referred to as the ‘male’ cycle—while poems of Joseph Eichendorff were used in Liederkreis Op. 39, for the female to sing. During the year 1840, Schumann wrote some 140 songs such as these.

Both cycles are referred to as ‘narrative’ or ‘literary’ as the words and music are so integral to each other that they cannot readily be separated. Mr. Fralick began the recital, and easily conveyed the meaning of the words through his expression or emotions. At times he sang sweetly, as to a lover, (Lieb, Liebchen) while in another, he was most agitated. He was somewhat declarative in Warte, warte wilder Schiffman with terrific and forceful high notes. In the end, he was resigned to perhaps not ever again knowing love.

Mr. Carterette was a graceful and attentive collaborator throughout, although at times the piano spoke too loudly, due to the very lively acoustics in the church. Still, great attention was paid to dynamics throughout, with the singers, at times, in a near-whisper.

After a brief intermission, Ms. Hall appeared, for the Liederkreis Op. 39. She, too, is an expressive singer, with clear diction, rendering it fairly easy to discern the meaning behind the words. In Intermezzo, she was happily in love, while turning to full-voiced spitfire mode for Die Stille. Auf einer burg allowed her to demonstrate a rich warm lower register, in addition to her clear high notes.

The encore brought the two soloists out for a tale of lovers separated. They may have been, but the voices blended beautifully, prompting more than one member of the smallish audience to wish for more from these gifted artists.

The spring 2009 series has not yet been announced, but details should be available early next year. There are two more performances in the Midday Musical Mosaic Series, on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 at 12:15 pm. For more information, call 991-3432, or visit the website at: http://www.cometochristchurch.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com
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