Four passionate song cycles. Four sumptuous voices. London Lyric Opera’s ‘Cycles’ explores the rich Romanticism of Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été, the mystical sincerity of Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel, the evanescent colours of Respighi’s Deità silvane, and the world première of Michael Pringsheim’s exquisite new cycle the Eichendorff Liederkreis. Conducted by Madeleine Lovell with the St George’s Chamber Orchestra the programme is completed with two purely orchestral narratives – Mendelssohn’s evocation of the legendary Melusine and Ravel’s Pavane.
"Madeleine Lovell ... marshalled all her forces with skill and finesse." Antony Craig,Gramophone
It wasn't until he met the young Cypriot soprano, Julietta Demetriades,
that Michael Pringsheim seriously contemplated having his song cycle
premiered. His style is best defined as being influenced by the
neo-classicists and post-romantics, notably Strauss & Debussy. As
such his song cycle fits in perfectly in style and mood with the works
of the other composers featured.
The artists featured tonight, though primarily opera singers, have a great love of the song repertoire. Between them they have appeared in recitals in such prestigious venues as the Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith’s Square, St James’ Piccadilly and have appeared in numerous festivals both in the UK and abroad.
Michael Pringsheim
Michael Pringsheim has enjoyed a distinguished career in International law. Though not a professional musician his first practical experience of music was when he gave a performance on the recorder of a recorder sonata at the age of eleven before an audience of 300 pupils, teachers and parent at his school. His next step was when he took up the French horn at his next school and played it in the school orchestra and subsequently when he was a student at Oxford University. His earliest musical memory was at the age of seven while staying at his grandmother’s house in Garmisch when she was visited by Richard Strauss who played with her, Four hands on her piano. Throughout his career he has promoted concerts, notably at the Purcell Room and has enjoyed long-standing friendships with many leading musicians. Despite his life long involvement with music he composed nothing before his “Six songs for Soprano and Orchestra” on texts of the German poet Eichendorff. His style is best defined as being influenced by the neo-classicists and post-romantics, notably Strauss & Debussy. As such his song cycle fits in perfectly in style and mood with the works of the other composers featured.
