All-Schubert at the Austrian Embassy
Allarts4u.com
Embassy of Austria
February 2, 2008
Musical Program
One of the supreme compliments to any performer is to say that "he was born to play the role" and this is certainly true of baritone Jerome Barry whose rendering of lieder was supreme in the annual Schubert's birthday celebration at the Embassy of Austria by the Embassy Series. Barry has both the vocal technique and the outgoing personality to bring out the full richness in each phrase he sings. In a range of selection of this program...from the opening prayerful "An die Musik"...to his final encore...a playful "Trout"...Barry explored the sublimity edifying to the purely entertaining possibilities of song. His sensitivity in the lyrical "Ständchen" and his expressiveness in the dramatic "Erlkönig" showed his deep understanding of Schubert that is too often lost in operatic recitals. For this occasion, George Peachey was a most excellent piano accompanist. The second part of the program featured the Fessenden Ensemble under the direction of Emil George performing "Octet in F Major D803." The hour long work which has been placed somewhere between chamber piece and symphony is musical literature. It was played with both the vigor and the tenderness that is so uniquely united in Schubert's compositions. Least we forget...HAPPY 211TH BIRTHDAY, FRANZ! (Reviewed by Celia Sharpe)
