Herrischried – “Requiescas¦– You may rest” was the title of the Eternal Sunday concert that baritone Uli Bützer and pianist Max Langer gave in the Herrischried church. They selected compositions by Brahms, Dvorák and the Schumann couple, which deal with the theme of farewell. Brahms, who was a few years older than him, was Dvorák’s mentor and friend. Brahms, in turn, was able to consider Robert Schumann as his mentor, became the best friend of the Schumann couple, was the godfather of their son Felix and remained Clara’s closest confidant even after Robert Schumann’s death. In the program, the duo had included the first song from Brahms’ small “Regenlieder Cycle”, a song that conjures up the days of innocent childhood and which Brahms used in the second movement of his “Violin Sonata No. 1”, in which he says goodbye to his godson Felix, who died of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Schumann also said a musical farewell. His op. 90, six songs based on poems by Nikolaus Lenau and Requiem, are essentially the composer’s funeral service for the poet he loved. While the first two sound more like sensitive memories, the character becomes more dramatic with each song; the sixth, “The Heavy Evening,” ends in a pathetic flourish with the wish for one’s own death. Finally, in “Requiem” the softly romantic style increases to affect-laden monumentality.
In the lively performance of three of Dvorák’s ten “Biblical Songs” based on psalm texts, Uli Bützer impressively showcased his warm yet powerful baritone. The cycle was created during Dvorák’s stay in New York, where homesickness and the news of his father’s poor health may have led Dvorák to choose this deeply religious subject. Brahms’ “Four serious songs” are the composer’s mourning work in the face of the death of Clara Schumann. The lyrics for the first three songs come from the Old Testament and focus on transience, while the fourth song from the New Testament focuses on faith, hope and love. Clara Schumann herself was present at the concert as the composer of the “Variations op. 20” on a theme by Robert Schumann, performed by Max Langer. He enlivened the variations, sometimes lively and fresh, sometimes completely lost in thought and with a touch of melancholy, sometimes expressed in virtuoso running cascades, then offensively gripping and finally very heartfelt, with a light, sparkling touch. The duo responded to the listeners’ sustained applause with a romantic Mozart song as an encore.
Given the heavy emotional themes explored in the concert, how did you both prioritize your own mental and emotional wellbeing during the preparation and performance process?
## A Requiem for a Poet and a Farewell to Youth: An Interview with Uli Bützer and Max Langer
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the heart of cultural experiences. Today, we have the immense pleasure of speaking with baritone Uli Bützer and pianist Max Langer, the talented duo who recently captivated audiences with their performance “Requiescat – You may rest,” a concert exploring musical farewells.
**Section 1: The Power of Music to Mourn**
* **For both Uli and Max:** Your concert focused on themes of farewell and loss, exploring works by Brahms, Dvorák, and the Schumanns. How did you approach selecting these specific composers and pieces to convey such weighty emotions?
* **Uli, focusing on your vocal performance:** What are the unique challenges and rewards of expressing grief and remembrance through song? How do you connect to the emotions embedded within the lyrics and music?
* **Max, reflecting on your piano accompaniment:** How does your approach to playing differ when interpreting these melancholy pieces compared to more upbeat compositions? Do certain musical techniques help to enhance the sense of loss and reflection?
**Section 2: Mentor, Friend, and Confidant: The Bonds of Brahms and Schumann**
* **For both:** The concert highlighted the interconnected lives of Brahms and the Schumanns. Can you expand on the profound impact these relationships had on their compositions, particularly those featured in your performance?
* **Uli:** Brahms’ “Regenlieder Cycle” includes a song dedicated to Felix Schumann. How did Brahms’ personal connection to the Schumann family add another layer of depth to this particular piece?
* **Max:** Robert Schumann’s “Requiem” is a heart-wrenching tribute to the poet Nikolaus Lenau. How does Schumann’s musical language convey the complex emotions associated with grief and loss in this piece?
**Section 3: Transcendence Through Music**
* **For both:** While the concert focused on farewells and loss, there’s a palpable sense of hope and transcendence within the music. How do these composers, despite grappling with sorrow, offer glimpses of beauty and resilience through their work?
* **Uli:** What message do you hope audiences carry with them after experiencing these pieces, knowing that they were created in the face of profound personal loss?
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your insights with us today. Your performance was truly a moving tribute to the enduring power of music to explore the complexities of the human experience.
**Closing:**
We thank Uli Bützer and Max Langer for their time and insight. To learn more about their upcoming performances and projects, visit their website [insert website address here].
