Concert Series: The Evening of Music and Poems

Curated by Dr. Jessica Chen and accompanied by Nicholas Loh, this evening’s recital celebrates the rich tradition of the 19th-century Lied, bringing together masterworks by Robert and Clara Schumann alongside songs by their contemporaries.

At the heart of the programme is Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe, presented in selected songs that trace themes of longing, tenderness, and irony through Heinrich Heine’s poetry. His Liederkreis, Op. 24, and Myrthen, Op. 25, further showcase the composer’s lyrical depth and gift for intimate expression. The programme also highlights two songs from Clara Schumann’s Sechs Lieder, Op. 13, offering a rare glimpse of her melodic and poetic voice.

Complementing the Schumanns are works by Carl Loewe, famed for his dramatic ballads; Felix Mendelssohn, with his graceful lyricism; Edvard Grieg, whose Gruss radiates Nordic warmth; and Franz Schubert, represented by Das Fischermädchen from his final collection Schwanengesang.

Together, these selections weave a tapestry of Romantic song — from the delicate to the dramatic — offering audiences a journey through the expressive world of the Lied.