Benjamin Appl baritone / James Baillieu piano

Saturday 8 July, 7.30pm

Images: Benjamin Appl © Sony Classical Uve Arens; James Baillieu © Kaupo Kikkas.

Brahms and Schubert Lieder

Benjamin Appl is celebrated by audiences and critics alike for a voice that ‘belongs to the last of the old great masters of song’ with ‘an almost infinite range of colours’ (Süddeutsche Zeitung), ‘exacting attention to text’ (New York Times), and artistry that’s described as ‘unbearably moving’ (The Times). His most recent album, Winterreise, with James Baillieu, was released in February 2022 to major critical acclaim. James is one of the leading chamber music pianists of his generation, described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘in a class of his own’. Together they will perform songs from all stages of Schubert’s career – three of them on the theme of spring – together with settings of Goethe texts, including one of his most famous: Erlkönig. Brahms works will include his final set of songs from 1896: Vier ernste Gesänge as well as Sonntag, Mondnacht and Auf dem Kirchhofe. The full listing is below. This recital by two of the leading exponents of the art of Lieder of their generation is sure to be a highlight of our season.

Join Benjamin and James for a pre-concert conversation at 6.00pm in Thaxted United Reformed Church. See previous Festival Extra entry for details.

‘The most promising of today’s up-and-coming song recitalists’ Financial Times

This concert is sponsored by a friend of Thaxted Festival who wishes to remain anonymous.

This recital is followed by a reception for Thaxted Music Lovers at Gold, Silver and Bronze Plus levels, by invitation.