RIAS Kammerchor – Justin Doyle, Chief Conductor / Bahar & Ufuk Dördüncü, Piano
Described as “Wunderbare” by the Tagesspiegel, the Berlin based RIAS chamber choir is a world-renowned ensemble of 35 professional singers that also enjoys an unrivalled reputation amongst Germany’s professional choirs. Founded in 1948 it has been an ongoing partner of both the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.
For this concert the choir will be joined by Turkish-Swiss piano duo Ufuk and Bahar Dördüncü, described as being ‘equipped with flawless technique, delivering vigorous and evocative performance, displaying breathtaking virtuosity and great creativity, evidenced in every performance’.
The programme is built around Brahms’ two sets of Liebeslieder waltzes, unpretentious and highly attractive vocal pieces, with the accompaniment of piano duo, on the subject of love. Brahms much enjoyed conducting these charming songs himself, recognising their audience appeal as he doffed his cap to both Schubert and the waltzes of Johann Strauss. Interspersed among the Brahms in this concert, specially devised by Justin Doyle, are songs about love by a range of 20th century composers and Dvorˇák’s exhilarating Slavonic Dances in their original piano duet versions.