Erika Baikoff and Roman Borisov: Schumann, Barber and Rachmaninoff

Each song tells its own story. Love, loss, and longing resonate in the music of Schumann, Barber, and Rachmaninoff, brought to life by soprano Erika Baikoff and pianist Roman Borisov. Selected as a BBC New Generation Artist in 2025, Baikoff enchants with her lyrical, expressive voice. Contrasting with this is Borisov's piano playing, which excels in color and freedom. Erika Baikoff and Roman Borisov

The young Russian-American soprano Erika Baikoff is rapidly conquering international stages in both opera and song recitals. She has already won an impressive series of awards and was selected as a BBC New Generation Artist in 2025, a significant recognition of her exceptional talent. With her lyrical, expressive voice, she manages to move and enchant listeners time and again. By her side tonight is a rising star in the piano firmament: Roman Borisov, whose playing is praised for its color and freedom.

Schumann, Barber and Rachmaninoff

Each song carries its own story, and that story resonates in every note. Barber discovered centuries-old texts by chance, scribbled in the margins of Irish manuscripts. Rachmaninoff wrote his songs during a time of loss and farewell, following a broken relationship and on the eve of his departure from Russia. Schumann composed his Liederkreis in a frenzy of love for his young wife Clara. All three imbue the words with profound expressive power, yet each in their own musical language, in which the spirit of the times echoes.