What would you like to give or recommend to young duos?
Enjoy the beautiful music you get to make. Continue.
What makes a song recital really special to you?
Often the music, storytelling and empathy.
Can you remember a recital that really impressed you? What made it so unforgettable?
Luciano Pavarotti in recital at the concert hall where my hair was blowing from the power of his voice and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau performing in that same great hall with an encore, Alte Laute by Robert Schumann, with his pianissimo filling the entire sold-out Great Hall. But also, very recently, I heard a fantastic recital by Olivia Vermeulen, which was so varied, from Franz Schubert to David Bowie to Karlheinz Stockhausen, that I was enthralled from start to finish.
How do you see the future of classical song for the new generation of singers?
I see enough interest if only by collaborating, but the audience still often fails, even with such an innovative recital as Olivia's. But yes, when Marilyn Horne came to Amsterdam in 1980, the recital had to be moved from the large to the small hall due to lack of interest ... Horne!!!
Why do you think it is important that (young) singers continue to discover and perform song repertoire?
For their own development, in touch with the most beautiful lyrics and notes and all those different emotions. As a result, I don't have to throw a chair through a café window, I just play Erlkönig By Franz Schubert ; I don't need Xtc, I play Phidylé By Henri Duparc ... It enriches you immensely!
What are your top three favourite songs at the moment?
Sure on this shining night By Samuel Barber, Did you ever cross over to Sneden's By Alec Wilder and Go away from my window By John Jacob Niles. Those were songs I often sang with Roberta Alexander performed and which moved me every time, due to her great emotional eloquence. We miss her.
