Magdalena Kožená and Malcolm Martineau with Janáček, Wolf and Dvořák

Magdalena Kožená and Malcolm Martineau create magical moments in which the mezzo-soprano and the pianist merge seamlessly. This afternoon they perform Czech music by Janáček and Dvořák, complemented by songs by Wolf and Schönberg’s light-footed Brettl-Lieder. Here, the richness of human emotions resonates. Magdalena Kožená and Malcolm Martineau

When Magdalena Kožená and Malcolm Martineau take the stage together, reviewers rightly speak of magical moments. Kožená's expressive mezzo-soprano blends seamlessly with Martineau's refined piano playing. The mezzo-soprano chooses her repertoire from the heart; her selection is often rooted in her Czech heritage—and this afternoon, too, she presents music from that rich musical soil: Janáček sounds raw and honest, Dvořák warm and lyrical. The Austrian Wolf contributes refined songs with great psychological insight. The musicians also choose Schönberg's Brettl-Lieder.

Janáček, Wolf and Dvořák

Richard Strauss began a song with the notes and later sought a poem to accompany it. Music first or text first? That question has occupied lovers of the vocal repertoire for centuries – and every composer had their own opinion on the matter. Janáček took a practical approach and noted down the speech patterns of unsuspecting passers-by on the street. For Hugo Wolf, the text was sacred; he composed several songs a day at a feverish pace. Melancholy resonates in many of Dvořák's songs. Despite their differences, all three depict human emotions with razor-sharp precision and together form a beautiful trio. Finally, the Brettl-Lieder by Schönberg are heard, eight lighthearted, humorous songs that transport the listener to the Viennese cabaret of around 1900.