Christoph Prégardien, tenor
Hans Eijsackers, piano
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'Optimism is a lack of information,' Heiner Müller liked to say, preferably with a stoic expression on his face. Perhaps in that expression Müller found the perspective for his collection of Ende der Handschrift, eleven bleak and not very hopeful poems about the future. Wolfgang Rihm, one of the most influential and successful contemporary composers, expressively set these texts to music. Sadly, he died last year. Tenor Christoph Prégardien and pianist Hans Eijsackers boldly alternate Rihm's contemporary songs with songs by Schubert on texts by Ernst Schulze during the first half of this recital. Schulze, a tormented poet, mirrored a different future in love to himself against his better judgment than was realistic.
After the interval, they perform a choice selection of Schubert's songs on texts by his good friend Johann Mayrhofer, the poet who, to support himself, worked as a censor of the writings of his contemporaries.
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Auf der Bruck D 853 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952 – 2024)
1. Glückloser Engel (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Im Frühling D 882 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024)
2. Nature morte (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
3. Blaupause (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
An mein Herz D 860 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024)
4. Leere Zeit (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Tiefes Leid D 876 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024)
5. Traumwald (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Im Walde D 834 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024)
7. Mit der Wiederkehr der Farbe (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
10. Drama (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Über Wildemann D 884 (Schulze)
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024)
11. Geh Ariel (from: Ende der Handschrift; Müller)
break
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Fahrt zum Hades D 526 (Mayrhofer)
Freiwilliges Versinken D 700 (Mayrhofer)
Wie Ulfru fischt D 525 (Mayrhofer)
Night Violins D 752 (Mayrhofer)
Auflösung D 807 (Mayrhofer)
***
Der Alpenjäger D 524 (Mayrhofer)
Gondelfahrer D 808 (Mayrhofer)
Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren D 360 (Mayrhofer)
Der Schiffer D 536 (Mayrhofer)
Die Sternennächte D 670 (Mayrhofer)
Abschied D 475 (Mayrhofer)
Nachtstück D 672 (Mayrhofer)
Christoph Prégardien / tenor
Precise vocal control, clear diction, intelligent musicality and the ability to get to the heart of everything he sings ensure Christoph Prégardien's place among the world's leading lyric tenors. He performs in concert halls around the world. His repertoire is versatile and spans many eras: from the Baroque to the 20th century. The more than 150 CDs he has recorded have been showered with awards. Teaching remains an important part of Christoph Prégardien's musical life. After many years at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Zurich, he gives master classes for young singers all over the world and has been a professor at the Musikhochschule Köln since 2004. This year, he will give a master class during the festival for the first time.
Hans Eijsackers / piano
Hans Eijsackers studied at the conservatories of Amsterdam and The Hague, and at the European Mozart Academy in Kraków. His teachers were Gérard van Blerk, Jan Wijn and György Sebök. He won prizes at the European Piano Competition and received the Silver Vriendenkrans of the Concertgebouw. He is currently a professor at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, where in recent years he developed the curriculum for the new master's specialisation Lied.
Eijsackers performs frequently as a soloist, chamber musician and song pianist, and forms an inspired song duo with Henk Neven. As a jury member and master class teacher, he is a regular guest at home and abroad and regularly visits Lithuania as 'ambassador for the art song'. In addition, Eijsackers is artistic director of the International Student Song Duo Competition in Groningen, which took place for the seventh time in November 2024. Since 2022, he has been the artistic director of the festival together with Henk Neven.
Large church hall / Zusterplein 12 / 3703 CB Zeist
The lyric tenor voice of Christoph Prégardien had a youthful glow, yet he sang with plaintive beauty and piercing insight.
Hans Eijsackers issued his master's certificate in colouring and timing. His rubati and accelerandi are fabulously embedded in a deeply fragrant richness of sound.
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