For our end of year concerts, this consummate trio have come together to curate an intriguing exploration of three wonderfully expressive instruments. It’s oft said that the cello is close to the human voice, and Clein’s cello quite literally “sings”, matched by the delicacy and lyricism of pianist Julius Drake and the soaring tones of soprano Claire Booth.

Programme:

Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Sonatina

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
“Öffne dich, mein ganzes Herze”
from Cantata BWV 61

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
arr. Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Five Spiritual Songs (Geistliche Lieder), a selection
1. Gedenke doch, mein Geist
3. Liebster Herr Jesu
5. Bist du bei mir
4. Komm, süsser Tod

John Cage (1912-1992)
The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs

John Tavener (1944-2013)
Threnos (Lament)

John Tavener (1944-2013)
Akhmatova songs, a selection
3. Boris Pasternak
4. Couplet
1. Dante

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91
1. Gestillte Sehnsucht
2. Geistliches Wiegenlied

Deborah Pritchard (b.1977)
Storm Song
(Text by Jeanette Winterson)

Leoš Janácek (1854-1928)
Pohádka (Fairy Tale)

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Auf dem Strom, D. 943

Renowned for an extraordinary breadth of repertoire, Booth’s operatic highlights include Elcia in Rossini’s Mose in Egitto, Elle in Poulenc's Voix Humaine and Rosina in The Barber of Seville. The trio have captivated audiences everywhere, winning plaudits for their dynamic energy and strong sense of narrative.

Clein is a sought-after chamber performer who has featured as a soloist with such orchestras as the Philharmonia, Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony, and Montreal Symphony, while pianist Drake enjoys an international reputation as one of the finest instrumentalists in his field, appearing regularly at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw and Wigmore Hall, London.

NATALIE CLEIN, CELLO

JULIUS DRAKE, PIANO

CLAIRE BOOTH, SOPRANO