What a happy glow there was in the Crypt Room party after this concert. Tim and Elena Sidwell had provided excellent refreshments for us all, and this gave rise to a buzz of animated and appreciative discussions about what we had just heard. Many people said that it was one of the best in this series so far, and it is so good that the memories of Barbara and Martindale are kept vigorously alive by young artists in this way.
Aidan Coburn and James Sherlock had put together a programme that was stimulating in every respect. After an introduction of well known and love English songs, we were treated to a rare performance of Finzi’s Dies Natalis. This work is a great marriage between the music and Thomas Traherne’s rapturous poetry. It was set for instrumental accompaniment, but James had adapted it for piano, and the result was that many strands of melodies in the Intrada were more effectively revealed.
There was an excellent balance between the two artists. Aidan has a voice of great range which rises from quiet and sensitive singing to operatic high notes when required, and James is an extremely music and accomplished pianist.
After the interval we had a performance of Schumann’s Dichterliebe which was riveting in its dramatic quality. No one listening could have any doubt of the poignant feelings of Schumann and Heine. They shared the personality characteristics of Florestan, the extrovert, and Eusebius, the brooding melancholic, that are frequently revealed in Schumann’s piano music.
Aidan and James gave so much colour and insight in their shared musical interpretation, that we felt privileged to hear this beautiful song cycle. It was sustained right from the beginning, to the quiet and sensitive ending, where the notes seemed to hang in the air above us.
The recital was rounded off with three favourite folk songs which, in my day, were referred to as “realisations” by Benjamin Britten. I could imagine Aidan playing a part in a Britten opera. Then he delighted us all with an encore, singing in Italian, M’Appari from Martha, which he delivered with a seraphic smile and a natural affinity for the language.
Martindale would have been really gratified to know that the musical standard he established at St John-at-Hampstead is being carried on to such a high standard.