Welcome to the Art of Song
Inspired by the Wigmore Hall / Kohn Foundation Song Competition, this resource comprises a series of short films in which Iain Burnside – pianist, writer, and broadcaster – talks to some of the world's greatest singers and experts about the magic of song.
Whether you're a singer considering taking part in a competition; an audience member, eager to find out how competition jurors come to their decisions; or anyone looking to find out more about song and performance, this site contains a fascinating range of insights, opinions and ideas from those who've worked, performed, and succeeded in song at the highest level.
With expert insights from John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall, and a dazzling selection of vocal stars the videos cover topics including: what it's like to sing at Wigmore Hall; competition dos and don'ts; and how to deal with stage nerves, as well as conversations with jurors and previous winners of the Wigmore Hall Song Competition.
The following people feature in the videos:
- John Gilhooly – Director of Wigmore Hall and Chairman of the Wigmore Hall Song Competition Jury
- James Baillieu – Pianist's Prize-winner of the 2009 Wigmore Hall Song Competition
- Mark Padmore – Tenor
- Marcus Farnsworth – Winner of the 2009 Wigmore Hall Song Competition
- Richard Stokes – Leading authority on Lieder
- Andrew Kennedy – Tenor
- Ailish Tynan – Soprano
- Sarah Walker CBE – Mezzo-soprano
- Malcolm Martineau – Pianist/Accompanist
- Elizabeth Watts – Soprano
- Christopher Maltman – Baritone
Introduction
John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall, talks to Iain Burnside about why the Wigmore Hall / Kohn Foundation Song Competition is so vital to Wigmore Hall's aspirations. He discusses the values of the competition, and offers some useful pointers to competitors about how to make the most of taking part.
Why Enter a Competition?
Iain Burnside talks to Andrew Kennedy, Elizabeth Watts, Marcus Farnsworth, Ailish Tynan, Christopher Maltman, and John Gilhooly about the ups and downs of entering competitions, and explores the impact it can have on a young musician's career.
Singing at Wigmore Hall
Artists from all corners of the globe describe Wigmore Hall as one of, if not the best Hall to perform in. In this interview Iain Burnside teases out of John Gilhooly, Elizabeth Watts, Malcolm Martineau, Sarah Walker, Marcus Farnsworth, Ailish Tynan and Christopher Maltman some top tips on what to bear in mind when singing on the Wigmore Hall stage.
Ailish Tynan
Ailish Tynan is one of the most colourful and entertaining sopranos singing today. Here, in an Art of Song exclusive, she performs Fauré's 'Mandoline', and talks with Iain Burnside about French song, the significance of competitions for young singers' careers, and the pleasures of giving recitals at Wigmore Hall.
Marcus Farnsworth
Iain Burnside talks to Marcus Farnsworth, winner of the 2009 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation Song Competition, about his experience of the competition, how he prepares for performances, and about how his career has developed since that night two years ago.
Christopher Maltman
Acclaimed British baritone and one-time winner of the Song Prize at Cardiff Singer of the World talks to Iain Burnside about the highs and lows of entering Competitions, and performs Mahler's Liebst du um Schönheit with Malcolm Martineau at the piano.
James Baillieu
In 2009, South African pianist James Baillieu took the Accompanist's Prize at the Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation Song Competition. Here he talks with fellow pianist Iain Burnside about the particular demands of accompanying singers, and about how his career has developed over the last two years.
Sarah Walker
Few singers can boast such glittering careers as English mezzo-soprano Sarah Walker. She has performed at the world's great opera houses, recital halls, and even at Leonard Bernstein's 1989 concert to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. She's a woman of forthright views, and talks to Iain Burnside about what she's looking for -- as a juror -- at this year's Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation Song Competition.
Mark Padmore
British tenor Mark Padmore describes himself as a 'failure' for not having been successful in competitions, but Iain Burnside begs to differ. The interview opens with an exclusive performance of Schumann's 'Ich wandelte' from Liederkreis Op. 24.
Elizabeth Watts
Young British soprano Elizabeth Watts (with a voice described as "one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation" by International Record Review) talks to Iain Burnside about how competitions helped her chart her course to 'world domination', culminating in her winning the Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Song Prize in 2007. Iain Burnside joins her at the piano for a special performance of Geoffrey Bush's Cuisine Provençale.
Andrew Kennedy
Andrew Kennedy is one of Britain's most exciting young tenors. As an ex-member of the Royal Opera House young artists scheme, winner of the Song Prize at Cardiff Singer of the World, and as a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, he already boasts an impressive CV, and is much in demand on opera stages, concert platforms, and recording venues across the world. Here he talks with Iain Burnside about the pleasures and challenges of competition singing.
Richard Stokes
Richard Stokes is one of Britain's most distinguished intellectuals, whose book on lieder is one of the most influential available. As one of the jurors at this year's Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation Song Competition, he talks to Iain Burnside about the factors that will guide his decision-making this September.
Feeling Nervous?
Nerves play a prominent part in the lives of anyone who has to stand up and perform in front of others, but how do you deal with them, and can they be a positive thing? Iain Burnside discusses with Marcus Farnsworth, Elizabeth Watts, Andrew Kennedy, Ailish Tynan and Malcolm Martineau.
Wise Words
While conducting this series of interviews for The Art of Song, Iain Burnside asked his guests for their top tips -- dos and don'ts -- for how to succeed in the competition. With advice from such distinguished performers as Mark Padmore, Elizabeth Watts, Andrew Kennedy, Christopher Maltman and Malcolm Martineau, how can you go wrong?