What would you like to give or recommend to young duos?
What I would like to impart to young duos is not an easy question, because it deals with so many facets of our profession. But when watching auditions or application videos, a few things do stand out that I think young musicians should pay attention to. First and foremost: technique! Technique is the basis of your singing. The better your technique, the better you can make all the colours that allow you to express everything you want to say. Secondly: when judging submission videos, you notice the big difference in quality between the entries. One video is an almost professional recording of a concert on a beautiful stage with excellent grand piano and another is in a living room with a fake piano hastily recorded with a phone. Invest in yourself and do so uncompromisingly. Better to save up for a good recording/photos and nice, presentable concert attire than to go for a cheap but lesser alternative. And finally (also note to myself): have fun in what you do and show it. If all goes well, you think being a musician is the most fun there is. Don't get distracted by all kinds of negative feelings and thoughts but focus on the positive and show that with all your creativity, charm and humour!
What makes a song recital really special to you?
If a duo gives itself completely to the music, has prepared well, is technically above the subject matter and with an interesting programme, so that I as a listener can also give myself completely to what is offered to me.
Can you remember a recital that really impressed you? What made it so unforgettable?
I was at a recital a few years ago by Matthias Goerne and Alexander Schmalcz who did an entire Beethoven recital. Now you have to be of good stock to make an evening of just Beethoven songs an unforgettable event, but that is exactly what they did. There was so much beauty and excitement to be heard. What was remarkable was that Goerne sang almost the entire recital in the direction of his pianist, leaving the audience - literally - in the lurch. Normally a faux pas, but because what he did vocally was so wonderful, it didn't bother at all and really only added to the special evening.
How do you see the future of classical song within the new generation of singers?
Gone are the days of standing in the curve of the grand piano and just singing beautifully. Song recitals today require at least a thread, a story or commentary. An enormous amount can be done and I think we will also see more and more with multimedia. I think it is a great addition but the condition is that the quality of singing and piano playing is paramount and the extra-musical part is of good quality and not distracting.
Why do you think it is important that (young) singers continue to discover and perform song repertoire?
It is important for young singers to engage in song because there is no other art form where it is so diverse and where you can decide for yourself what you do. Only you and your pianist shape a recital, there is no conductor, director or colleague to interfere with the performance. So you have to maximise your own creativity. Moreover, you will be technically challenged enormously and singing an entire recital is usually much harder than singing an opera role. A wonderful challenge!
What are your top three favourite songs at the moment?
This is an impossible question! I already couldn't give a top 3 song composers. Yes, obviously Schubert and Wolf but then ... If you say Schumann you miss Strauss, Mahler, Duparc, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky ... There is so much beauty, too much to mention.
